While driving through Centerville, have you ever spotted a tiny sign – “Walton House Museum” and wondered what it was? So have we! As it turns out, this stone house was built in 1838 by Henry Reese, who bought the parcel of land from one of Centerville’s founders, Benjamin Robbins. Eventually, William Walton and his wife Miriam (known as Mary) bought the house in 1927.

William Walton was born April 1st, 1876 to Samuel and Mary Walton. William was the grandson and great-grandson of the founders of Spring Valley, Moses and Edward Walton. Also, William’s older sister Edith married Colonel Edward A. Deeds and later created the beloved Deeds Carillon Bells.

In 1903, William opened W.E. Walton’s Boot and Toggery Shop in the Arcade in downtown, selling boots and clothing (toggery) to the public. Sadly, the business was ruined in the 1913 flood, and William then became a farmer. From 1914 to 1918, William farmed Hole’s Creek Farm in Washington Township, then the Justin Austin farm on Bellbrook-Alpha Pike.

William died on September 12, 1950 and is buried in Centerville Cemetery alongside his wife, Mary.

The Walton House remained the family home until Mary’s death in 1971. The house was later donated to Centerville-Washington History and operates as a museum and the administrative office for Centerville-Washington History. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday, 12pm-4pm.

The Walton House
89 West Franklin Street
Centerville, Ohio 45459