[2]: 4  However, he refused to limit himself to large-scale commercial construction: among his most prominent works is the Batman-Waldron House of 1895, which a local historic preservation survey has described as the city's "most eccentric mansion.

"[3]: xxix One of the buildings that Nichols held up as a leading example of his architectural ideals was the home that he designed for himself and his wife along College Avenue north of downtown.

Throughout the later twentieth century, the house gradually deteriorated, but by the 1980s it had been purchased by a new owner who began to restore the property to its original state.

Some of its elements are meant to recall the architecture of Ancient Greek temples, such as the Corinthian columns that support the roof of the entrance porch.

Just one story tall, the Nichols House is divided into five rooms with a basement; its frame structure is covered by clapboard siding.

[2]: 2  It is a significantly simpler building than the house, featuring an open floor plan with simple and unadorned construction.

[2]: 4 Although not owned by Nichols, a residence similar to the present house is located along Rogers Street in the neighborhood of Prospect Hill.