Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing) A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. whose components lack individual distinction. (Page 3) other Narrative Description Materials (Enter categories from instructions) Hamilton County, Ohio 7. Description walls_Wood (weatherboard). _X_C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity _D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history.
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Matthew McWilliams House Hamilton County, Ohio Criteria Considerations (Mark "X" in all the boxes that apply.) -A owned by a religious institution or used for religious purposes. _B removed from its original location. _C a birthplace or a grave. _ D a cemetery. _E a reconstructed building, object,or structure. F a commemorative property. G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) _architecture Period of Significance®.
1807-1840 Architect/Builder_not known (Page 4) 1840 Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Cultural Affiliation_N/A _The date of 1807is the approximate building date of the original stone structure on the property.Because the Significant Person(Complete if Criterion B is marked above) period of significance for the entire structure. building still exists, it is significant as a relic. The Greek Revival home was built onto the stone building in 1840, thus providing a Significant Dates_c. 1807 OMB No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Section _7_ Page _1 Matthew McWilliams House Hamilton County, OH overlooking the Ohio River. It is in the neighborhood of Riverside, one of the first suburbs of the city.
The house is freestanding, built during The main house, however, is historically significant under Criterion C as the one of the last intact, temple-style Greek Revival houses in the Lower Miami Valley. This first phase of Temple Hill is a single-level stone building built c. 1807, according to a personal interview with a previous resident. When Cincinnati's courthouse burned in 1884, many records of early buildings were lost, thus it is difficult to substantiate the date of the building. The structure is stacked fieldstone, approximately 2 feet thick. The building has two windows and two doors. The windows are modern replacements c. 1978, and the doors appear to be from the later period of the main house. The interior door to the present dining room has hand wrought iron hardware that appears to predate the main house.
The roof is modern composition shingles over sawn wood frame rafters. The interior of the stone building is currently being used as a kitchen for the main house. On the interior, few original features remain with the exception of the fireplace. The firebox and mantle appear to be original. The mantle is vernacular in style, with a simple beaded edging. When the main house was built, the mantle was "modernized" by the addition of pilasters and a frieze applied directly onto the face of the earlier mantle. a hallmark of Greek Revival style. While the second story has been foreshortened to compliment the temple-style of the façade, the width was not similarly altered. In order to accommodate the wide floor plan, the columns were placed farther apart than is traditionally correct (photo 1) is fluted, with an historically correct capital and no base (correct for the Doric order).
In addition to the freestanding columns, there are two have been recently reconstructed in an historical manner, but modified to accommodate modern building codes. An historical photograph and existing evidence of earlier construction guided the replacement of these items. translate to the principle interior rooms as well. The side and rear (north) façades are less stylistic than the principle façade. Nevertheless, virtually all original elements are intact, including six over six windows, clapboard siding and wood doors. Approximately 50% of the original window glass remains, as does 90% of the siding. Window casings have trim that is similar to the shallow pediment of the main door. Shutters have been removed from the side and rear façades, entry is sealed and inoperable at this time. porch extended along the entire length of the north façade.
When it was rebuilt, the porch was shortened so that more natural light would reach network of dry-stack terraces, brick swales and terra cotta drains to protect the back of the house from water coming down the steep hillside The plan of the house is a Center Hall Greek Revival, with twin parlors to the west and a dining room and library to the east. The east side also contains a separate stair hall with a narrow (24") stair to the second floor. All doorways once had doors. With the exception of the library and Exterior Interior Main House (circa 1840): Both are constructed of wood and are painted (photo5). Stone Building (circa 1807): NPS Form 10-900-a The McWilliams House is a two story wood framed single family home situated on the near west side of Cincinnati, in the middle of the bluff engaged pilasters on the house.
The shafts of the pilasters are made from a single piece of wood, 2' x 13' x 4" deep. The porch railings and stairs The main doorway contains many identifying characteristics of the Greek Revival style. The door is monumental in scale, with an integrated but most of the original hardware is still present. At the rear of the house, the original rear center hall door and transom remain, although this the first half of the 19" century. The home was built in two phases: the original stone building (the present kitchen), and the main house. The principal façade of the main house is a temple-style form with four monumental, freestanding Doric columns supporting a classical pediment, Two of the four columns are original to the house. Two exterior columns were replaced in the 1980s, following original drawings.
Each column On the north (rear) façade, the simple, three-bay porch was rebuilt within the past 20 years to match the one that was removed. Originally, this General Information: NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Section 7 Page 2 Matthew McWilliams House Hamilton County, OH The plan of the house is a Center Hall Greek Revival, with twin parlors to the west and a dining room and library to the east. The east side also contains a separate stair hall with a narrow (24") stair to the second floor. All doorways once had doors. With the exception of the library and dining room, all primary first floor doors have been removed and are currently stored in the basement.
The exterior door on the stone building (in place but covered by stucco on the exterior) has hinges that are marked "Greenwood, Cin. O.", which indicates it came from a local foundry about 1840. The proportions of the rooms were intended for an upper-middle class lifestyle. Each primary room is approximately 15'x15'xll'tall. The center wide by 7'6" tall, and mantles, baseboards and trim are consistent with these overall large dimensions. gasolier that was most likely installed around 1910. This is the only old fixture remaining in the house. Most walls and ceilings throughout the contains a fireplace and mantle that match the ones in the parlors. The firebox surround is covered in ceramic tile, c. 1978, and the hearth is a solid piece of limestone. Center Halls: original hall extended the entire depth of the house. All the interior woodwork is poplar.
The most elaborate woodwork in the house is on the interior wall around the main door. This wall consists of an entry door with full sidelites and transom extending to the sidewalls and ceiling. All Entries to the principal rooms have monumental, cased openings of surprisingly simple design. With the exception of a simple trim near the head of the casing on the hall side, there are no carved or molded elements on these doors. The woodwork appears to be original, and there is evidence that it was grain painted. The rear of the center hall was converted to a full bath in the 1930s. Interviews with prior owners indicate that this bath was the introduction of plumbing in the house. This bathroom is currently being removed to restore the original depth of the center hall.
On the second level, the center hall is the same size as the first level, excluding an original bedroom at the rear of the hall that that was converted to a bathroom in the 1980s. Front and Rear Parlors: These parlors are mirror images of one another, with matching fireplaces, trim and entries. Each room is approximately 15'x15', with 11'2" ceilings. inches in width. Crown molding, installed in 2003 in the front parlor, is replicated from the original molding above the front door. Each parlor has a monumental wood mantle with engaged pilasters and a single piece wood shelf. The firebox and hearth have been covered in ceramic tile, c. 1978. Summer covers have been installed that are not original to the house. Neither fireplace is operational at this time (photo 7). The library is the smallest principal room on the main level.
Although it shares many attributes of the other rooms on this floor, it was reduced in width to accommodate the stair hall. Interviews with previous occupants indicate that this room was once used as an office and bedroom. Library: Dining Room: (photo 4). hall is 9'x32'. All openings and trim were consciously designed to enhance these large spaces. Window panes are 12"x18", doorways are 3'8" The two rooms are separated by large, hinged doors. These doors appear to be original, and are in working order (photo 6). The floors in these parlors, as in the rest of the house, are random width, tongue and groove pine, 1 5/8 inches thick. Many boards exceed 8 feet in length and 8 This room is connected directly to the stone building, and is similar in dimension to the main parlors.
The light fixture is a combination electric/ house are constructed from original pig's-hair plaster, with a few exceptions. The floors are painted, random-width pine. The dining room There is a center hall on each of the first and second levels. All principal rooms in the house open onto the center halls. On the first level, the this woodwork is currently painted white, but there are areas where the paint has chipped off to reveal the original grain painting underneath OMB No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Section 7 Page 3 Matthew McWilliams House The stair hall to the second level is distinctive in its narrowness. It is apparent from its size and configuration that access to the second level was Anaglyptia wall covering was applied under the chair rail in 2003.
The original banister and tubular rails remain. The carpet, trim and skylight were installed around 1978, and the wallcovering and paint date to The upper level consists of five bedrooms and a center hall. The center rear bedroom is now the bath. The four remaining rooms were modified with closets sometime in the early 20ª century. The three larger rooms show evidence of internal chimney stacks shared by the fireplaces of the principal rooms below. The southwest bedroom retains an original mantle, hearth and firebox (photo 9). Visual evidence suggests that the house is probably transitional braced frame in white oak with balloon-framed studs. Most lumber is full- dimension mill sawn, although some exposed joists in the basement have bark attached or have mortises and other marks indicating that the wood was recycled from previous uses.
In addition to vertical sawn framing, approximately 2"x4" full dimension, there are numerous diagonal mately 10 years ago. 2004 Addition The homeowners have recently built an addition on the rear of the stone building, and have done restoration work to the exterior of the house. The objective was to renovate the kitchen for contemporary needs, add storage and relocate the original lower bathroom. The barhroom in the addition was designed to have minimal interference with historic materials or the primary façade. This work has not affecteed the primary interior generations. Plans of the renovation have been included with this application. 2003. Bedrooms: Main House Construction NPS Form 10-900-a Hamilton County, OH cross-braces throughout the house.
Roof framing is conventional, with 2"x8" rafters, and modern sheathing from re-roofing finished approxi- spaces, except for the center hall as mentioned. Renovation of exterior concrete, gutters and paint will protect and preserve the house for future new addition has allowed for the removal of the original facility, so that the center hall can be restored to its original size and proportion. The Section 7, Page 4a 2004 ADDITION : STAIR MAIN LEVEL PLAN McWILLIAMS HOUSE 3586 RIVER ROAD CINCINNATI OHIO 45204 DINING EXTERIOR PORCH CENTER FRONT PARLOR KITCHEN HALL REAR LIBRARY HAMILTON COUNTY 42'-2" 15'-2" 15'-8" 15'-10" 15'-9" Section 7, Page 4b UPPER LEVEL PLAN McWILLIAMS HOUSE 3586 RIVER ROAD CINCINNATI OHIO 45204 HAMILTON COUNTY BEDROOM OFFICE BATH HALL STAIR 15'-8" 15'-9" NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No.
1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Hamilton County, OH All Photos were taken by: 3586 River Road May 1, 2004 Exterior view looking north (south façade) from front lawn. This is the principle view of the house from River Rd. Photo 2: Exterior detail of front door, south façade. Photo 3: Exterior view of rear façade looking south Photo 4: Main level, interior view of center hall looking south to front door Photo 5: Main level, view of kitchen fireplace looking east Photo 6: Main level, view of front parlor looking south from rear parlor Photo 7: Main level, looking west to mantle in front parlor Photo 8: Main level, view up stair hall looking east.
Photo 9: Upper level, mantle and firebox in southwest bedroom, looking west Photo 10: Exterior view, east elevation Photo 12: Exterior view, showing neighborhood context looking north Photo 13: Exterior view, showing hillside context looking north Cincinnati Photol: David Zelman Matthew McWilliams House Photo 11: NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Matthew McWilliams House shows the original front stair and balustrade, both of which have been recently replaced. The rest of the façade appears much as it does today. Hamilton County, OH Circa 1890 This photo is the earliest known image of the Matthew McWilliams House.This image National Park Service NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No.
1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Matthew McWilliams House PROPOSED ADDITION AND RENOVATIONS 3586 RIVER ROAD CINCINNATI, OHIO 45204 Proposed renovation plans, 2004 Hamilton County, OH National Park Service SHEET INDEX Section 7 Page 7 OMB No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Section 8 Page 1 Matthew McWilliams House Built in 1840, with an earlier stone kitchen (c. 1807), the Matthew McWilliams House is significant under Criterion C as a rare example of tetrastyle, gable-front, Greek Revival architecture in the Miami Valley. This vernacular example of the Greek Revival Such a massive portico is unusual in Cincinnati, as most examples from the time have long been demolished.
Other Greek Revival The McWilliams House is one of the few remaining examples of the first homes built in the community of Riverside, a prestigious suburb developed in the first half of the nineteenth century on the near west side of Cincinnati, Ohio. In her thesis, "Country Seats, around the Cincinnati area as Country Seats. These homesteads shared many commonalities, including significant acreage detached from the urban basin, facilities for recreational or experimental farming, and an architectural plan that rigidly adhered to classically- passersby...[it] provided a place of experiment and retreat, where the difficulties of urban life could easily be sorted out and solved, but it did not provide a viable income." (Tuttle, 1990) scale. Between 1830 and 1850, Ohio's population more than doubled, reaching nearly two million inhabitants.
In 1840, the city had 46,382 residents and grew to 21,000 residential units by 1850 (Gordon). As the city's population grew in the early nineteenth century, a middle class emerged that wanted to share in the idea of a country retreat, but did not have the resources to purchase an isolated hillside location to do so. Consequently, lots in prime locations were subdivided into smaller parcels, which allowed more people to of 1869, and the Moessenger's map of Hamilton County of 1884. Cincinnati as part of the Miami Purchase, and he retired there when his military service was completed. David Sedam, the Colonel's Cincinnati families purchased land in the area to take advantage of river traffic and convenient access to the city without crowded city life. In 1847, A.L. and D.O. Reeder laid out a block of lots on the river and thus began the village of Riverside (Hale, 1959).
Families such as the Yeatmans, L'Hommideus, Reeders, Straders, and Fleischmanns built substantial homesites here. Here, the maps show little evidence of barns or outbuildings, and there are very few remaining examples of support structures today. By the time of its incorporation in 1867, Riverside covered 833 acres with dozens of family homesteads (Hale, 1959). razed in 1937, a columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer noted, "The old house attests the former fashionableness of Riverside...The road that led down to it from Sedamsville, known as "The Stretch," was the most fashionable drive for Cincinnati carriages and found of the terraces and landscaped hillsides, the spreading gardens and spacious houses that once were Old Riverside!" (Allen, Matthew McWilliams purchased his Riverside property from William Hatch in 1839, at the age of 27, for S1945.40 (photocopy of original deed).
McWilliams was, according to the 1850 Federal Census, a carpenter from Ireland. He married Elizabeth Hammond 1938) Hamilton County, OH Background history: NPS Form 10-900-a style is a wood frame, two-story house with largely symmetrical form and a center hall, four-over-four plan. Even more than the tions and located their houses on the hillsides and main roads around the periphery of town where they could easily be seen by all access the "rural" lifestyle. This pattern of settlement in Riverside can be seen on the 1847 Hamilton county wall map, the Titus Atlas Colonel Cornelius Sedam, known for his service in the Revolutionary War, acquired a large portion of land on the western edge of pattern of subdivison generally meant relatively narrow lots that spanned from the river to the top of the hillside. Contemporary barouche." (Cincinnati Enquirer, 1937). Mrs.
James Adams Allen, of the prominent Symmes family, remembered Riverside this center hall plan, the most distinguishing feature of the house is the gabled portico supported by four widely-spread fluted columns. examples tended to have engaged pilasters and no portico at all. inspired designs (Tuttle, 1990). "America's early nineteenth century country seat builders followed Palladio's and Ware's instruc- The first suburbs of Cincinnati share much of the Palladian view of an idealized rural retreat, but at a more modest and accessible son, was given some acreage from his father's land and built an estate in 1823 that he called "Riverside." Soon, other prominent NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No.
1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Section 8 Page 2 Matthew McWilliams House Hamilton County, OH happened to his first wife, but he married Elizabeth Kennedy in 1860 (Herbert, 1995). She died five years later, based on her death notice in the newspaper (Herbert, 1997). There is also an M. McWilliams listed as a member of the board of directors of the recently formed Cincinnati Horticultural Society (Greve, 1904). Census and other historical data from the 1850s forward lists only one McWilliams in the Delhi/Green Township area into the 1970s. Previous research by another individual cites 1880 Census data of Matthew McWilliams, listed as retired and living in the household of his son-in-law, Francis Wilson.
Clearly, to be able to purchase land at such a young age and build a substantial house leads one to assume that he did quite well as a the building of other prominent homes in this area. McWilliams apparently was a member of the right social circles, as he purchased the property from a member of the Hatch family (the 1850 census lists Wm. Hatch as still living in the house), and lived with the that found success in early nineteenth century Cincinnati. Cist (1841) remarks, in his book describing Cincinnati in 1841, that this Glazer (1999) confirms Cist's statistics by noting that though the majority of "heads of households" listed in the 1840 census had not McWilliams. His family is not distinguished in the city's history, but he did manage to secure the means to build a fine home on the river alongside the older, established families.
The attached continuation sheets visually document the homes from this era that the pre-Civil War period, and were contemporary with the McWilliams house. Many of thse structures are now in a poor state of repair, but the scale, massing, and detailing of these remaining homes provides insight into the character of the neighboorhood at a important historical period. From early on, Riverside had industry associated with Ohio River trade and commerce, to which the residents did not object to insdustry as long as it was south of River Road. Later, the Whitewater Canal and rail traffic on the Ohio & Mississippi railroad Cincinnati Historic Inventory, 2004). While the plant was as successful as many other local industries, the consequent pollution and increased road traffic prompted the wealthier families to move elsewhere.
Riverside's reputation changed from "fashionable" to In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many of the grand homesin the area were lost and their parcels subdivided for row houses close to River Road. Most of the mansions that were left were subdivided into apartments. The 1922 Sanborn atlas shows Temple Hill with three of these parcels marked off along River Road. Fortunately, these parcels were never sold off and The Ohio River flood of 1937 and the widening of River Road in the 1940s took an additional heavy toll on the area. Since that time, poverty and neglect have been the worst enemies of the once-stately mansions. As of 2004, only a handful of these buildings remain. The aforementioned exhibit chronicles these homes in their current condition. Many have lost their historic appearance and context; developed.
"..was a period of uncommon prosperity", even for people in the Manufactures and Mechanic Arts, as Cist classifies carpenters. survive in Riverside.They have been chosen to illustrate both the style and size of houses that were typical of the neighborhood in Reeders on one side and the L'Hommideaus on the other. Further research might reveal other personal and business dealings with these and other prominent Cincinnati families.Perhaps what is most significant is that he was an example of the new middle class "working class." in 1848 (Herbert, 1993) and they had at least one child (the 1850 census lists a daughter named Maria). It is not known what provided opportunities for businesses in the area. In 1870, Max Fleischmann opened a yeast plant and distillery in Riverside (City of carpenter, or perhaps a housewright.
While there is no evidence thus far that he personally built his house, as a carpenter with significant means, it stands to reason that he would have had a hand in its design and construction. He may have been involved in appeared in any preceding city directory (meaning that they were recent arrivals to Cincinnati), "some of these "new settlers' established themselves in the city quickly and became active, esteemed members of the community." This might very well apply to nevertheless, they provide insight into a significant period in Cincinnati's history. OMB No.
1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Matthew McWilliams House City of Cincinnati The photos below, taken in April 2004, represent the last remaining homes of the Riverside area valley, approximately 3 miles from the Cincinnati central business district heading west down US route 50. All of these homes at one time had a river view, and it appears that many of these 2458 River Road NPS Form 10-900-a Hamilton County, Ohio Riverside Neighborhood from its most prosperous period in the mid 19th century. These residences, of which Temple of land near the Ohio River approximately 4 miles long beginning at the edge of the Mill Creek National Park Service Cincinnati Area.These homes are presented in order from east to west.
Hill is a part,constituted one of Cincinnati's first suburban enclaves.The survey area is a stretch homes predate the Civil War.Therefore they represent a rare collection of this type in the HAMILTON CO., OH MCWILLIAMS HOUSE Section 8 2640 River Road Page 4 HAMILTON CO., OH MCWILLIAMS HOUSE 3130 River Road Section 8 Page 5 MCWILLIAMS HOUSE HAMILTON CO., OH 3172 River Road Section 8 Page 6 3398 Hillside Ave 3406 Hillside Ave 3675 River Road HAMILTON CO., OH Page MCWILLIAMS HOUSE Section 8 MCWILLIAMS HOUSE HAMILTON CO. OH 3712 River Road 3800 River Road Section 8 Page 8 Section 8 Page 9 3990 River Road 4126 River Road 4232 River Road MCWILLIAMS HOUSE HAMILTON OH HAMILTON CO., OH Section 8 Page 10 4416 River Road 4448 Allenham 4449 Hillside Ave. MCWILLIAMS HOUSE USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Matthew McWilliams House Hamilton County, Ohio 9.
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