Vanmeter Stone House and Outbuildings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Vanmeter Stone House and Outbuildings
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Front of the house
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | South of Piketon at the junction of U.S. Route 23 and State Route 124 |
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| Area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Built | 1823 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001519 |
| Added to NRHP | March 31, 1975 |
The Vanmeter Stone House and Outbuildings are a very old farm and its buildings located near Piketon, in Pike County, Ohio, United States. This farm started in the early 1800s. For almost 200 years, the same family has lived and worked on this land. A famous politician was also part of this family.
The people who lived here were among the first to grow trees for wood in the area. They also took great care of the original buildings. Because of their history and how well they were kept, these buildings are now a special historic site.
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A Family's Long History at the Farm
The story of the Vanmeter farm began in 1801. That year, a man named Isaac Vanmeter bought the land. He bought it from Mr. Guthrie, who was the person who founded Piketon.
Isaac Vanmeter soon went back to his home in Virginia. He gave the land to his son, John Vanmeter. John received the land after he finished his college studies.
John Vanmeter's Life and Work
John Vanmeter later traveled west and settled on the farm. The main house on the farm was built in 1823. John Vanmeter raised animals and grew many different crops.
He was also very active in politics. He even served a term in the United States House of Representatives. This means he helped make laws for the country.
How the Family Kept the Farm Special
John Vanmeter moved out of the house in 1856. However, his family continued to live there. By the 1970s, the sixth generation of Vanmeters was living on the property.
The family used some of their land in unique ways. They did not turn all of it into fields for crops or animals. Instead, they kept some areas for other purposes.
Even in the 1890s, the farm was very large. It included the two Piketon Mounds, which are ancient earthworks. The Vanmeter family also made a smart choice about their trees. They only cut down some trees, not all of them. This decision helped them start one of Ohio's first tree farms.
What Makes the Vanmeter House Unique?
The Vanmeter house is a simple but strong building. It is made from sandstone and brick. It also has special details made of wood and stone.
The house has a pointed roof called a gabled roof. There are two chimneys on the roof. The house has two stories and a front with three sections. The main door is in the middle, with two windows on the first floor. There are three windows on the second floor.
The House and Its Outbuildings
The sides of the house are much narrower than the front and back. There are no windows on the sides. This style was common for early stone farmhouses in southern Ohio.
The property still has some of its original smaller buildings. These are called outbuildings. They are just as old as the main house.
A Recognized Historic Site
In 1975, the Vanmeter house and its historic outbuildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places. They earned this honor because of their important architecture. This farm complex is one of eight places in Pike County listed on the National Register.
Four years later, another building linked to John Vanmeter also became a historic site. This was the Vanmeter Church Street House in Chillicothe. John Vanmeter moved to Chillicothe after he left his home in Pike County.
