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National Register of Historic Places listings in Butler County, Ohio facts for kids

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Map of Ohio highlighting Butler County
Location of Butler County in Ohio

Welcome to Butler County, Ohio! This area is full of amazing places that are important to history. These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a national scrapbook of buildings, sites, and objects that tell America's story.

Being on this list means a place is officially recognized for its historical or architectural value. It helps protect these places for future generations to enjoy and learn from. In Butler County, there are 90 such places, including three that are extra special and called National Historic Landmarks. A National Historic Landmark is a place that has played a truly important part in American history.

Contents

Exploring Historic Places in Butler County

Butler County has many different kinds of historic places. Some are old homes, others are schools, and some are even ancient sites built by early people. Let's look at a few examples!

Historic Homes and Buildings

Many of the listed places are old houses or important buildings that show us how people lived and worked long ago.

Dr. William S. Alexander House

The Dr. William S. Alexander House is located in Oxford. It was added to the National Register in 1987. This house is a great example of the architecture from its time.

Dr. William S. Alexander House
The Dr. William S. Alexander House in Oxford.

Anderson-Shaffer House

In Hamilton, you can find the Anderson-Shaffer House. It joined the list in 1974. This building helps us understand the history of homes in the area.

AndersonShafferHouse
The historic Anderson-Shaffer House.

Benninghofen House

Another Hamilton gem is the Benninghofen House, listed in 1973. It's a beautiful example of older architecture in the city.

BenninghofenHouse
The Benninghofen House in Hamilton.

Lane-Hooven House

Also in Hamilton, the Lane-Hooven House was added in 1973. It's known for its unique design and history.

LaneHoovenHouse
The Lane-Hooven House, a historic building in Hamilton.

Elias Kumler House

The Elias Kumler House in Oxford became a listed site in 1980. It's a significant part of Oxford's past.

Elias Kumler House
The Elias Kumler House in Oxford.

Edgeton

Edgeton, located in Hamilton, was added to the Register in 1975. It's another example of the beautiful historic homes in the county.

Edgeton-Hamilton
Edgeton, a historic home in Hamilton.

Important Farms and Mills

Butler County's history also includes many farms and mills that were vital to daily life.

Augspurger Grist Mill

The Augspurger Grist Mill was built in 1868 in St. Clair Township. A grist mill is a place where grain like wheat or corn was ground into flour. While the original mill might be gone, its history is still remembered.

Augspurger Paper Company Rowhouses

Near the grist mill, in Madison Township, are the Augspurger Paper Company Rowhouses. These homes, listed in 1984, were likely built for workers at the paper company.

Augspurger Paper Company Rowhouse 1
One of the Augspurger Paper Company Rowhouses.
Augspurger Paper Company Rowhouse 2
Another Augspurger Paper Company Rowhouse.

Frederick Augspurger Farm

The Frederick Augspurger Farm, south of Trenton, was listed in 1984. It represents the farming heritage of the area.

FrederickAugspurgerFarm
The Frederick Augspurger Farm.

John Augspurger Farm No. 2

Another farm, John Augspurger Farm No. 2, is in Trenton and was listed in 1984.

John Augspurger Farm No. 2
John Augspurger Farm No. 2.

Samuel Augspurger Farm

The Samuel Augspurger Farm, south of Trenton, was added in 1984. These farms show the importance of agriculture in Butler County's past.

Samuel Augspurger Farm
The Samuel Augspurger Farm.

Austin-Magie Farm and Mill District

In Oxford Township, the Austin-Magie Farm and Mill District was listed in 1982. This district includes both farm buildings and a mill, showing how these operations worked together.

Austin-Magie Farmhouse
The Austin-Magie Farmhouse.

Christian Ehresman Farm

The Christian Ehresman Farm in Trenton was listed in 1984.

Christian Ehresman Farmhouse
The Christian Ehresman Farmhouse.

Christian Iutzi Farm

The Christian Iutzi Farm, south of Trenton, was added in 1984.

Christian Iutzi Farm
The Christian Iutzi Farm.

John Kennel Sr. Farm

The John Kennel Sr. Farm in Trenton was listed in 1984.

John Kennel, Sr., Farmhouse
The John Kennel Sr. Farmhouse.

John Kennel Jr. Farm

The John Kennel Jr. Farm in St. Clair Township was also listed in 1984.

John Kennel Jr. Farmhouse
The John Kennel Jr. Farmhouse.

Mill Office and Post Office

The Mill Office and Post Office in Woodsdale, Madison Township, was listed in 1984. This building served as a central point for the community.

Augspurger Mill Office and Post Office
The Augspurger Mill Office and Post Office.

Peter Schrock Jr. Farm

The Peter Schrock Jr. Farm in Trenton was listed in 1984.

Peter Schrock Jr. Farmhouse
The Peter Schrock Jr. Farmhouse.

John Scott Barn and Granary

In Ross Township, the John Scott Barn and Granary was added in 2005. A granary is a building used to store grain.

John Scott Farm buildings
The John Scott Farm buildings.

Shaw Farm

The Shaw Farm, west of Ross, was listed in 1974.

Shaw Farm driveway near Ross
The driveway leading to Shaw Farm.

Historic Districts and Areas

Some listings are not just single buildings but entire areas or districts that have historical importance.

Central Avenue Historic District

In Middletown, the Central Avenue Historic District was listed in 2014. This area includes many buildings that together show the history of the city's main street.

Middletown Butler Warren County Ohio USA Downtown
Downtown Middletown, part of the Central Avenue Historic District.

Dayton-Campbell Historic District

Hamilton is home to the Dayton-Campbell Historic District, listed in 1983. This district covers several streets and shows a historic neighborhood.

DaytonCampbellHD
Buildings in the Dayton-Campbell Historic District.

German Village Historic District

Hamilton also has the German Village Historic District, added in 1991. This area reflects the heritage of German immigrants in the city.

GermanVillageHamilton
A street view in the German Village Historic District.

Hamilton Downtown Historic District

The heart of Hamilton, the Hamilton Downtown Historic District, was listed in 2016. It includes many important buildings in the city center.

Hamilton OH Historic High ST
Historic High Street in Hamilton.

Hamilton Historic Civic Center

The Hamilton Historic Civic Center, listed in 1995, includes important government and public buildings, showing the city's civic history.

HamiltonCivicCenter
The Hamilton Civic Center.

Harding-Jones Paper Company District

In Lemon Township, the Harding-Jones Paper Company District was listed in 1975. This area tells the story of the paper industry in the region.

Harding-Jones Paper Company at Excello
The Harding-Jones Paper Company at Excello.

High Street Commercial Block

The High Street Commercial Block in Hamilton was listed in 2004. This area includes several commercial buildings that show how businesses operated in the past.

High Street Commercial Block in Hamilton
The High Street Commercial Block.

Main Street Commercial Historic District

Middletown's Main Street Commercial Historic District was listed in 2014. It highlights the commercial history of the town.

Main and Central, central Middletown
The intersection of Main and Central in Middletown.

Miami-Erie Canal Site Historic District

The Miami-Erie Canal Site Historic District in West Chester Township was listed in 1978. Canals were like man-made rivers that helped transport goods long ago.

Miami Erie Canal
A section of the Miami-Erie Canal.

Rossville Historic District

The Rossville Historic District in Hamilton was added in 1975. This district showcases a historic neighborhood with its own unique character.

RossvilleHD2
Buildings in the Rossville Historic District.

South Main Street District

Middletown's South Main Street District was listed in 1978. It's another area that preserves the city's past.

South Main Street District, Middletown
South Main Street District in Middletown.

Ancient Sites and Mounds

Butler County also has very old sites, including mounds built by ancient cultures.

Demoret Mound

The Demoret Mound in Ross Township was listed in 1975. Mounds are ancient earthworks, often built for burials or ceremonies.

Fairfield Township Works I

The Fairfield Township Works I, near Hamilton, was listed in 1971. These are ancient earthworks located on the eastern bank of the Great Miami River.

Fairfield Township Works I in woods
The Fairfield Township Works I site.

Fortified Hill Works

The Fortified Hill Works in Ross Township was listed in 1974. This site is another example of ancient earthworks, located on the western side of the Great Miami River.

Fortified Hill Works Squier and Davis Plate VI
An old drawing of the Fortified Hill Works.

Great Mound

The Great Mound, west of Middletown in Madison Township, was listed in 1971. It's a significant ancient mound.

Great Mound of Butler County
The Great Mound of Butler County.

Hogan-Borger Mound Archeological District

The Hogan-Borger Mound Archeological District in Ross Township was listed in 1975. An archeological district means there are several ancient sites grouped together.

Hogan-Borger Mound Archeological District
The Hogan-Borger Mound Archeological District.

Mann Mound

The Mann Mound in Wayne Township was listed in 1971.

Mann Mound in Wayne Township
The Mann Mound.

Roberts Mound

The Roberts Mound in Reily Township was listed in 1975.

Roberts Mound from State Route 129
The Roberts Mound.

D.S. Rose Mound

The D.S. Rose Mound in Liberty Township was listed in 1975. Sadly, this mound was later removed by the owner.

D.S. Rose Mound site
The site where the D.S. Rose Mound once stood.

Ross Trails Adena Circle

The Ross Trails Adena Circle in Ross Township was listed in 1975. This is an ancient circular earthwork, likely built by the Adena culture.

Union Township Works II

The Union Township Works II in West Chester Township was listed in 1971. These are more ancient earthworks.

Union Township Works from Dimmick Road
The Union Township Works II site.

Williamson Mound Archeological District

The Williamson Mound Archeological District in West Chester Township was listed in 1975.

Williamson Mound Archaeological District
The Williamson Mound Archaeological District.

Other Notable Historic Places

Butler County has a variety of other interesting historic sites.

Butler County Courthouse

The Butler County Courthouse in Hamilton was listed in 1981. This is where many important legal and government activities have taken place over the years.

ButlerCountyCourthouseNorthFace02
The Butler County Courthouse.

Big Four Depot

The Big Four Depot in Middletown was listed in 2013. A depot is a train station, and this one played a role in the area's transportation history.

Middletown Big Four Depot
The Big Four Depot in Middletown.

Champion Coated Paper Company

The Champion Coated Paper Company in Hamilton was listed in 2019. This site represents the industrial history of Hamilton.

Looking north at Hamilton Champion factory lining both sides of B Street undergoing conversion to sports complex
The Champion Coated Paper Company factory.

Dixon-Globe Opera House-Robinson-Schwenn Building

This building in Hamilton, listed in 2000, once housed an opera house, a place for performances and entertainment.

DixonGlobeOperaHouse
The Dixon-Globe Opera House-Robinson-Schwenn Building.

Greenwood Cemetery

Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton was listed in 1994. Cemeteries can be historic places because they contain graves of important people and show burial customs over time.

GreenwoodCemeteryEntrance
The entrance to Greenwood Cemetery.

Hamilton Catholic High School

Hamilton Catholic High School in Hamilton was listed in 1986. This building has been important for education in the community.

HamiltonCatholicHighSchool
Hamilton Catholic High School.

Hotel Manchester

The Hotel Manchester in Middletown was listed in 2014. This hotel would have been a central place for travelers and events.

Manchester Inn
The Hotel Manchester.

Howe Tavern

The Howe Tavern in College Corner was listed in 1976. Taverns were often important gathering places in early American towns.

Howe Tavern
The Howe Tavern.

Hughes Manor

Hughes Manor in Monroe was listed in 1994.

Hughes Manor
Hughes Manor.

Hughes School

The Hughes School in Liberty Township was listed in 1976. Old schoolhouses tell us about the history of education.

Hughes School Liberty Ohio
The Hughes School.

Hunting Lodge Farm

Hunting Lodge Farm, southeast of Oxford, was listed in 1982.

Hunting Lodge Farm
Hunting Lodge Farm.

Lane's Mill Historic Buildings

South of Oxford, the Lane's Mill Historic Buildings were listed in 1980.

Lane's Mill Historic Buildings
Lane's Mill Historic Buildings.

Morgan Township House

The Morgan Township House in Okeana was listed in 2016.

Morgan Township House
The Morgan Township House.

Morgan-Hueston House

The Morgan-Hueston House in Fairfield was listed in 1990.

MorganHuestonHouse
The Morgan-Hueston House.

Notre Dame Academy and Notre Dame High School

These schools in Hamilton were listed in 2001. They represent the history of Catholic education in the area.

Notre Dame Academy and Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame Academy and Notre Dame High School.

Oxford Female Institute

The Oxford Female Institute in Oxford was listed in 1976. This institute played a role in the education of women.

Oxford Female Institute
The Oxford Female Institute.

Oxford Railroad Depot and Junction House

The Oxford Railroad Depot and Junction House was listed in 1980. While the depot is gone, the Junction House remains, reminding us of the importance of railroads.

Oxford Railroad Depot site
The site of the Oxford Railroad Depot.

Pugh's Mill Covered Bridge

North of Oxford, Pugh's Mill Covered Bridge was listed in 1975. Covered bridges are a classic part of American history.

PughsMillBridge
Pugh's Mill Covered Bridge.

Rentschler House

The Rentschler House in Hamilton was listed in 1983.

RentschlerHouse
The Rentschler House.

St. Stephen Church and Rectory

St. Stephen Church and Rectory in Hamilton were listed in 1982. Churches are often important centers of community and history.

StStephenChurchHamilton
St. Stephen Church.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter House of Miami University

This fraternity house at Miami University in Oxford was listed in 2005.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter House of Miami University
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter House.

Dan F. Snider Ford Dealership Building

The Dan F. Snider Ford Dealership Building in Middletown was listed in 2014. This building shows the history of cars and business in the area.

Dan Snider Ford Dealership
The Dan F. Snider Ford Dealership Building.

Spread Eagle Tavern-James D. Conrey House

This tavern and house in West Chester Township was listed in 2003.

Spread Eagle Tavern
The Spread Eagle Tavern.

Symmes Mission Chapel

The Symmes Mission Chapel in Fairfield was listed in 1980.

Symmes Mission Chapel site
The site of the Symmes Mission Chapel.

Thomas Select School

The Thomas Select School in Morgan Township was listed in 1977.

Thomas Select School
The Thomas Select School.

Unzicker-Cook House

The Unzicker-Cook House, northeast of Oxford, was listed in 1974.

Unzicker-Cook House
The Unzicker-Cook House.

John Vaughan House

The John Vaughan House in Morgan Township was listed in 1975.

John Vaughan House in Morgan Township
The John Vaughan House.

Voice of America Bethany Relay Station

The Voice of America Bethany Relay Station in West Chester Township was listed in 2006. This station played a role in international broadcasting.

Voice of America Bethany Relay Station
The Voice of America Bethany Relay Station.

Western College for Women

The Western College for Women in Oxford was listed in 1979. This college was important for women's education.

Clawson Hall
Clawson Hall at Western College.

National Historic Landmarks

Three places in Butler County are so important that they are called National Historic Landmarks.

Langstroth Cottage

Langstroth Cottage in Oxford was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1976. This was the home of L.L. Langstroth, who invented the modern beehive. His invention changed beekeeping forever!

Langstroth Cottage front and southern side, closeup
Langstroth Cottage, home of the "father of American beekeeping."

William H. McGuffey House

The William H. McGuffey House in Oxford became a National Historic Landmark in 1966. William H. McGuffey created the famous McGuffey Readers, which were textbooks used by millions of American schoolchildren in the 1800s.

William McGuffey House, front and western side
The William H. McGuffey House.

John B. Tytus House

The John B. Tytus House in Middletown was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1975. John B. Tytus was an engineer who invented a new way to make steel, which made steel production much faster and cheaper.

John B. Tytus House
The John B. Tytus House.

Former Listings

Sometimes, a property might be removed from the National Register of Historic Places. This can happen if the building is torn down or if it loses its historical importance for some reason. In Butler County, three properties were once listed but have since been removed.

  • Fisher Hall (Oxford Female College): This building on the Miami University campus in Oxford was listed in 1971 but removed in 1978.
  • Phillip Hughes House: East of Hamilton, this house was delisted in 1977.
  • Pleasant Run Mounds: These mounds in Fairfield were delisted in 1975.

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