Norvall Hunter Farm facts for kids
The Norvall Hunter Farm is a special old farm located near Mechanicsburg, Ohio, in the United States. This farm was built in the mid-1800s and was once home to an important person in the village. It's now recognized as a historic site because of its unique and beautiful architecture.
Quick facts for kids |
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Norvall Hunter Farm
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Roadside view of the farm
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 129 S. Main St., Mechanicsburg, Ohio |
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| Area | 11 acres (4.5 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate |
| MPS | Mechanicsburg MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001883 |
| Added to NRHP | August 29, 1985 |
Who Lived at the Farm?
One of the first doctors in Mechanicsburg was a man named Obed Horr. He was also an early businessman in the village. From 1832 to 1837, he ran a store with Joseph C. Brand.
Dr. Horr was very successful. By 1836, he had saved up a lot of money. Besides being a doctor and store owner, he was active in the community. He was the first leader, called a Worshipful Master, of the Mechanicsburg Masonic lodge when it started in 1843.
He was also a respected citizen and a judge. Dr. Horr even helped train other people to become doctors. He passed away in Mechanicsburg. Later, in 1863, the Hunter family moved to Mechanicsburg from Virginia. Within a year, they bought Dr. Horr's home.
What Does the Farm Look Like?
The Norvall Hunter Farm has eleven historic buildings. The main building is the farmhouse, which is very grand. It was built in 1850 and has two stories. The house is made of brick.
You can see influences from two different building styles in the farmhouse. These are the Greek Revival and Italianate styles. For example, it has special columns called pilasters and a front door that is set back into the building.
Besides the main house, there are ten other buildings on the farm. These include three barns, three sheds, two other farm buildings, a storage building, and a garage. There's also an old outdoor toilet. These buildings are grouped into two main areas around the farm.
Why is the Farm Important?
In 1985, the Norvall Hunter Farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a very important historic site. It qualified for this honor for two main reasons.
First, its architecture is unique and historically significant. Second, it was the home of Obed Horr, an important local citizen. The Norvall Hunter Farm is one of twenty places in Mechanicsburg that are on the Register. All these places were listed at the same time.
