James D. Conrey House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Spread Eagle Tavern-James D. Conrey House
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Roadside view
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9797 Cincinnati-Columbus Road north of Cincinnati |
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| Nearest city | West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio |
| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1840 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 03001100 |
| Added to NRHP | October 24, 2003 |
The James D. Conrey House is a very old house in Butler County, Ohio, United States. It sits on an old road that once connected the cities of Cincinnati and Columbus. This house is a great example of the buildings from that time. Because it is so well-preserved, it has been named a historic site.
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What is the James D. Conrey House?
The Conrey House is made of brick and sits on a strong limestone base. Its roof is mostly metal, but it also has parts made of asphalt and rubber. The front of the house has one story and is split into three parts.
A Look at Its Unique Design
The middle part of the house has a triangle-shaped top called a pediment and tall columns. It has both windows and a door. The sections on the right and left each have two windows. These windows have special cut stone sills and tops. The window shutters are even from when the house was first built!
Small decorative strips, called friezes, are near the windows on the sides. Both the front and sides of the house have a tall decorative band called an entablature. The house is built high enough that there are windows in the basement walls. The roof is low and flat, and it has seven different chimneys.
When the house was first built, it looked like the letter "U" with the open part at the back. In 1900, some changes were made. Small porches were added to the north and south sides. Also, a new part was built to close the "U" shape at the back.
What's the Story Behind It?
We don't know a lot about the very early days of the Conrey House. It seems to have been built in 1840 by someone named Ellis Johns. However, we aren't completely sure about his role.
The "Spread Eagle Tavern" Legend
Many people believe it was once a place called the "Spread Eagle Tavern." This was supposedly an inn where travelers could stop between Cincinnati and Lebanon. The house is on the old road that connected these cities. But there isn't clear proof that the tavern actually existed here.
Over the years, the house has been used for different things. For a while, it was a farmhouse. It was also once a restaurant called the Colonial Farm Restaurant. Because of its many chimneys, some people also call it "Seven Chimneys."
A Historic Landmark
In late 2003, the Conrey House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historic building. It earned this honor because of its special architecture.
Even with the changes made in 1900 and some sandblasting on its walls, the house is a great example of the Greek Revival style. Features like its Doric columns and flat, decorative columns (called pilasters) on the front porch make it stand out.
