George Bennett House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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George Bennett House
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Site of the Bennett House
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 10281 Harrison Pike, Harrison, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1847 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001426 |
| Added to NRHP | May 29, 1975 |
The George Bennett House was a special old home built near Harrison, Ohio, in the United States. It was constructed in the mid-1800s. This house was a well-known building along one of the main roads in the area. Because of its history and unique look, it was later named a historic site.
Who Was George Bennett?
George Bennett was an important person in the Harrison area during the mid-1800s. He was very wealthy, one of the richest people around. He was also famous for his political work. He was known as a top lobbyist, which means he tried to convince lawmakers to support certain ideas.
Bennett was a leader in the community of northwestern Hamilton County. His home was famous for its many social events and political meetings. He had his house built in 1847. The person who designed it is unknown, but they created a simple style called Greek Revival.
What Did the House Look Like?
The George Bennett House was two stories tall. It looked very balanced, with a main section in the middle and a wing on each side. Each of these three parts had three sections for windows or doors. The main entrance was in the middle of the central part.
There were seventeen other openings, all filled with windows. The windows on the second floor of the side wings were shorter. Two chimneys stood at each end of the house's roofline. A simple porch with four pillars covered the main entrance. This porch allowed the middle part of the house to stick out quite a bit.
All the roofs were gabled, meaning they had two sloping sides that met at a ridge. The part that stuck out in the center had a triangular shape called a pediment under the roof. The house was built on a strong stone foundation. Its walls were made of a mix of brick and wood. In its later years, the house had a tin roof.
The Famous Ballroom
George Bennett held many parties. Because of this, a large space on the second floor was set aside as a ballroom. People say the ballroom floor was supported by springs! This made dancing even more fun. When needed, screens could be put up to turn the ballroom into sleeping areas. The house's overall design was similar to some buildings designed by Thomas Jefferson. However, the Bennett House was simpler, showing the Greek Revival style.
A Local Landmark
The George Bennett House was a landmark for people living nearby and for travelers. This was because of its large size and special design. It stood out along the Harrison Pike.
In 1975, the house became even more important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It earned this honor because of its unique historical architecture. It was the first building in the Harrison area to get this special title. Just one week later, the Othniel Looker House was also listed. Four more houses followed by the end of 1976.
Even though it was a landmark, the George Bennett House is no longer there. The place where it once stood is now an empty lot.
