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1031 River Road 
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James Wolcott House. This
Federal-style home built in 1830 overlooking the Maumee
River began as a one-and-half-story log cabin, built by
James Wolcott, a Connecticut emigrant, and Mary Wells
Wolcott, the granddaughter of Chief Little Turtle.
They purchased 300 acres with money received from the U.S.
Government for her share of former Miami Indian lands
conferred at the Treaty of 1818. The house expanded
over time as the family grew in size and prominence.
Mary spent many years in Kentucky with the family of her
father, noted Indian scout and agent, William Wells.
This heritage is reflected in the two-story porticoed
veranda and the slender reeded columns crafted by local
artisan, R.J. Murray. Sidelights with bent wood insets
surrounding the front entranceway are similar to a pattern
by Asher Benjamin, as is the graceful self-supporting
stairway in the central hallway, which winds to the second
floor. The woodwork, fireplace surrounds, and paneling
are of native walnut. James Wolcott, a successful
merchant, ship builder, and land developer, was president of
the first Village Council in 1838 and was elected Mayor in
1843. When Wolcott died in 1873, the house passed to
his daughter, Mary Ann, and her husband, Smith Gilbert,
Mayor of Maumee from 1859 to 1865. Wolcott's son,
James M. (Tip), continued to live here and was elected Mayor
in 1887 and 1888. The house remained in the family
until 1957, when Wolcott's great granddaughter, Rilla Hull,
willed it to be left as a museum. It was acquired by
the Maumee Valley Historical Society and is the
"flagship" of the Wolcott Museum Complex.
Furnishings in the house reflect the period 1830-1850 and
include several original pieces.
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