Mountain House (Chillicothe, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mountain House
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Street view of the Mountain House
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Highland Ave., Chillicothe, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1852 |
| Architect | Oscar Janssen |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002181 |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1978 |
The Mountain House is a very old and special house in Chillicothe, Ohio. It was built in 1852 by a German immigrant named Oscar Janssen. He wanted his new home to look like the castles he remembered from his homeland, which stood high above the Rhine River.
Janssen built the house on top of a hill, or "bluff," overlooking the Scioto River and the city below. He also created vineyards, a place to make wine (a winery), and a beer garden around his home. Because the hillside was very steep, he built flat steps, called terraces, into the land before planting anything.
After Oscar Janssen, a famous designer and papermaker named Dard Hunter bought the Mountain House in 1919. He turned it into a workshop where he made special handmade paper and carved letters for printing. Hunter used the house to create many books, publishing them under the name "Mountain House Press." Over time, his work became known all around the world.
Contents
What Makes the Mountain House Special?
The Mountain House is a two-story building. It mixes different building styles and materials. Its main style is called Gothic Revival. You can see this in its pointed, arch-shaped windows and doors, which are called Gothic arches.
Building Styles and Materials
Even though it's mostly Gothic Revival, the house also has parts that look like Romanesque Revival buildings. The walls are made of brick, and they sit on a strong stone base, called a foundation. You can enter the house through large wooden doors.
A Historic Landmark
In 1978, the Mountain House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important buildings, sites, and objects in the United States. It was chosen for this honor for two main reasons.
Why It's on the Register
First, the house has kept its original historic look very well. Second, it's important because of its connection to Dard Hunter. He was a very important person in the history of the area. Today, the Mountain House is still used as offices for the Mountain House Press.
