Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. 9 historic topographic surveys show this location, the earliest from 1909.
“The McCracken-McFarland House is a historic house built in 1825 in the city of Cambridge, Ohio, United States. It was once home to one of the city's political leaders, and later a Presbyterian minister.”
Wikipedia article McCracken-McFarland House, CC BY-SA 4.0.
One of 22 National Register listings published here for Guernsey County · listed in 1979 · category: Building.
Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service
The ground this property stands on, surveyed 85 years apart. Drag the handle to wipe between them. Both sheets are United States Geological Survey originals; neither has been altered.
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 44 fires within 5 miles of McCracken-McFarland House between 2007 and 2020, burning about 135 acres in total. None started naturally. 1 was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Debris and open burning | 28 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 10 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 3 |
| Smoking | 2 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 August 2019 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Ohio Department of Natural Resources | 15220 |
| 21 July 2016 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Ohio Department of Natural Resources | 5205 |
| 12 July 2016 | Debris and open burning | 1.2 acres | Ohio Department of Natural Resources | 5165 |
| 21 June 2007 | Debris and open burning | 2.0 acres | Ohio Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 8 May 2015 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Ohio Department of Natural Resources | 1281 |
| 8 April 2013 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Ohio Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 6 April 2020 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Ohio Department of Natural Resources | 15613 |
| 27 April 2013 | Recreation and ceremony | 75 acres | Ohio Department of Natural Resources | not named |
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. Museums hold 321 specimens collected within 10 miles of McCracken-McFarland House between 1875 and 1975: 133 Fungi, 122 Animalia, 62 Plantae, 2 Unrecorded, 2 Protozoa. 12 distinct Species records are shown. Collected by Adams, W., Adams, W. (William), Adams, W. (William), Trautman, M. B. (Milton Bernard) et al. and others. Each is a physical object with a catalogue number, and each entry opens the museum's record. This is what was collected and kept, not a survey of what lives here - nothing can be concluded from a species being absent.
| Image | Species | Year | Collected by | Where, as recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Synechoblastus rupestris (F.Desp.) Trevis. | 1902 | F.O. Grover | Black Swamp |
 | Fomes fraxinophilus (Peck) Sacc. | 1922 | F. O. Grover | Black swamp |
 | Asclepias tuberosa L. | 1875 | s.c. | Fairmont |
 | Enslenia albida Nutt. | 1875 | s.c. | Fairmont |
 | Impatiens pallida Nutt. | 1875 | Lloyd, Curtis Gates | Fairmont |
 | Stereum spadiceum (Pers.) Quél. | 1893 | Holden Wm. | College Hill |
| Favolus europaeus Fr. | 1895 | Holden Wm. | College Hill | |
 | Lenzites trabeus (Pers.) Fr. | 1895 | Holden Wm. | College Hill |
 | Pleurotus nidulans (Pers.) P.Kumm. | 1895 | Holden Wm. | College Hill |
 | Polystictus versicolor (L.) Fr. | 1895 | Holden Wm. | College Hill |
 | Trametes malicola Berk. & M.A.Curtis | 1895 | Holden Wm. | College Hill |
| unnamed | 1896 | Lloyd C. G. | College Hill |
All 321 specimens within 10 miles, at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 2 workings within 5 miles of McCracken-McFarland House: 1 occurrence, 1 producer. 1 still produces. What was taken out: Titanium, Silica, Iron, Aluminum, Vanadium, Zirconium, Iron. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Plant | Vanadium, Zirconium, Iron | Producer | ||
| Lower Kittanning Under Clay | Titanium, Silica, Iron, Aluminum | Occurrence | 1850 |
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Cambridge, the town this property stands in, in 78 storm reports between 1994 and 2026: 47 thunderstorm wind, 22 hail, 7 flash flood, 1 flood. The reports record 3 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | 3 hurt, $400,000 | An intense thunderstorm gust known as a macroburst raked across central Guernsey County, wind gusts were estimated between 80 and 90 mph. The thunderstorm formed in northeast Guernsey County about 430 pm just ahead of another very intense thunderstorm moving through Muskingum County. It then moved southeast at nearly 40 mph.The swath of damage produced by this intense downburst of wind was estimated to be nearly 8 miles long. Its width fluctuated between 0.75 miles to over 2.5 miles. The damage started just south of Cambridge and continued southeast to near the town of Buffalo. There were 3 reported injuries which consisted of cuts and abrasions. One person was treated and released from the hospital. The town of Byesville was hardest hit. Hundreds of trees were snapped or toppled. Power lines and telephone poles were also downed which resulted in widespread power outages. There were some outbuildings destroyed, as well as damage to shingles, siding and roofs. Part of a roof of a school was torn off. Billboards, business signs and Interstate highway signs were also partially or totally destroyed. It was also reported that about 30 automobiles in a grocery store parking lot had their windows completely shattered. A plate glass window in a fast food restaurant was also shattered. The area was declared a disaster area by the Governor of Ohio. On Interstate 77, there was a report of a tractor-trailed truck which was stopped in its tracks by the tremendous gust as it tried to move forward. It actually spun its wheels as if it were on ice without moving and an automobile behind it collided with the truck. |
| June 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $500,000 | Emergency manager reported damage to the clock tower of an 150 year old courthouse, the collapse of a church, and several other structures damaged in the city of Cambridge. |
| November 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $200,000 | Widespread tree and power line damage was reported across the county. |
| April 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $55,000 | Between 840 PM EDT and 9 PM EDT, a microburst struck just southwest of Warrentown, about 4 miles northeast of Cambridge. Numerous trees toppled or snapped. Siding and shingles torn from a few houses. Two small barns knocked down. One mobile home was pushed off its foundation. Maximum estimated wind 75 mph (65 knots). This microburst made a swath of sporadic damage about half a mile in length and 350 yards wide. It started from just south of Lakespur Lane, and moved northeastward to just south of Route 22 |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $50,000 | Multiple trees and wires were reported to be down in and throughout Cambridge. |
| June 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $50,000 | The public reported trees down in Cambridge. |
| August 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $50,000 | Several trees were downed, including one on a car. A porch was ripped off of a house. Downed trees were blocking roads. |
| October 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $35,000 | Emergency management reported numerous trees down in Cambridge. |
| July 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $30,000 | Emergency management reported trees down near Cambridge. |
| July 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $25,000 | Law enforcement reported trees down. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $20,000 | Trees blown down throughout the city from thunderstorm winds. |
| May 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $20,000 | Thunderstorm winds collapsed a barn, killing two cows inside. Damage was also reported to three vehicles and a boat. |
| June 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $15,000 | Shingles were blown off of a roof on Jefferson Avenue, with tree limbs also blown down. |
| June 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $10,000 | State official reported numerous trees down. |
| August 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $10,000 | Widespread trees and power lines down, especially in eastern half of county, which lost all electric power. Some roads closed because of fallen trees. |
| January 1996 | Flash Flood | Cambridge | $10,000 | no account filed |
| August 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $6,000 | Trees and power lines down. |
| November 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $6,000 | Many trees blown down. [CORRECTED TIME] |
| May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | In Cambridge, power lines were blown down. |
| June 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | Trained spotter reported large branches down. |
| June 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | Trained spotter reported that trees were ripped in half in Cambridge. |
| July 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | State official reported a couple of trees down on Gaston Ave. |
| May 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | Large trees and power lines blown down. |
| July 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | Large trees and power lines down. |
| July 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | Trees and power lines blown down by wind. |
| August 2001 | Flash Flood | Cambridge | $5,000 | Between 1.5 and 2.0 inches of rainfall in just over an hour flooded numerous roadways in the Cambridge area. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 MPH downed several trees. |
| November 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and power lines in the Cambridge and Byesville areas. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several trees. |
| June 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $5,000 | no account filed |
| June 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $3,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a large billboard. |
| October 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $3,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several trees. |
| July 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $3,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several trees near Salt Fork State Park. |
| July 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $3,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several trees. |
| July 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $2,500 | Law Enforcement reported trees down. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $2,000 | A few reports of trees down were received from the Cambridge area. |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $2,000 | Local law enforcement reported trees down on the north side of Cambridge. |
| June 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $2,000 | EMA reported trees down West of Cambridge. |
| August 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $2,000 | Large trees down. |
| August 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $2,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed trees. |
| June 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $1,000 | The State Patrol reported 4 power poles down along SR 209 near mile marker 7. |
| December 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $1,000 | Local law enforcement reported trees down, scattered across the county. |
| July 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $1,000 | Large tree down on Old Route 21. |
| June 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs. |
| July 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed two trees and some large limbs. |
| August 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a tree and large branches along Route 22 near Cambridge. |
| June 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | $1,000 | Several large trees were downed by thunderstorm winds. |
| April 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | - | Multiple trees were reported down. |
| June 2022 | Hail | Cambridge | - | Hail the size an inch reported via social media. |
| February 2020 | Debris Flow | Cambridge | - | A landslide was reported on State Route 209 at Coshocton Avenue. |
| June 2020 | Flash Flood | Cambridge | - | Flooding was reported over Steubenville Avenue at 3rd Street. |
| May 2019 | Hail | Cambridge | - | A trained spotter reported hail 0.88 inches in size. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Cambridge | - | The public reported penny size hail in Cambridge. |
| August 2007 | Hail | Cambridge | - | Public reported quarter size hail in Cambridge. |
| March 2007 | Flood | Cambridge | - | Numerous roads flooded across the county due to heavy rains. |
| June 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Cambridge | - | Trees down along Parker Road in Salt Fork State Park. |
| June 2004 | Flash Flood | Cambridge | - | Several roads flooded after 4.5 inches of rain in 1 hr. |
| July 2002 | Flash Flood | Cambridge | - | Heavy thunderstorm rains of over three inches produced minor flooding along portions of County Road 35. |
| June 1998 | Flash Flood | Cambridge | - | Runoff from thunderstorm rains covered Peters Creek Road with water. |
| April 1995 | Hail | Cambridge | - | Golf ball-size hail reported. Damage unknown. |
United States Geological Survey topographic sheets whose coverage includes this point. Matched by taking the coordinate the National Park Service records for this property, then testing that coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet.
When this property was proposed for the National Register, someone wrote the case for it: what the building is, and why it matters. That document is a federal record in the public domain. It is quoted below word for word, never summarised. The text was read off the scanned case file by machine, so the occasional stray character is the recogniser's and the 1970s typewriter's.
The McCracken-MCFarland House is a wood frame structure, presently resting on It features a 5-bay facade, with the main entrance to the house located in the center North Eighth Street, and was oriented toward the south. In 1915 the structure was CONDITION EXCELLENT FAIR This entrance features a handsome trabeated door with transom and sidelights realized the
McCracken, a native Pennsylyanian, came to the Guernsey County seat in 1809 and for $3500, indicating that perhaps one of the additions to the rear of the house was United Presbyterian Church in 1860. Ironically, the United Presbyterian Church in 1400-1499 1700-1799 PHILOSOPHY ENGINEERING LAW ART EDUCATION ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC THEATER PERIOD unknown INVENTION BUILDER/ARCHITECT XEXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT AGRICULTURE _PREHISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE 1820s MILITARY LITERATURE INDUSTRY XRELIGION -1500-1599 _TRANSPORTATION possession of the building for their museum.
enced tradition architecture.If was built for one of the town's most important civic The McCracken-McFarland House is one of the few examples of settlement architecture SPECIFIC DATES William McFarland was born in New Athens, Harrison County, Ohio and graduated in possession of the house until 1966,when the Guernsey County Historical Society took He probably built this house during the l820's, since a new brick residence was con- Cambridge had been founded in 1822 by William McCracken, whose house McFarland occupied _SCULPTURE made during Clark's one-year ownership.
completing the newer one, he did retain ownership.of the property until 1867,when teer Infantry and served as that unit's chaplain until l865,when he returned to his -1600-1699 _COMMERCE He retired in 1900 and died in his Steubenville Avenue home on January 10,19l0. leaders, William McCracken (l787-l872) and was later the.home of an exceptional re- _1900- -MUSIC _COMMUNITY PLANNING 1849 from Franklin College, of New Athens. In 1854, he graduated from Allegheny ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC Cambridge pulpit.For twenty-eight years he was treasurer of the Muskingum Presbytery. became the village blacksmith.His services were in such demand that his customers present location in 1915.Jeanette McFarland, Rev.
The whole case file for this property - 2,403 words, 18 pages, reproduced complete.
Quoted from the National Register nomination for reference 79001848, 18 pages, held by the National Archives in Record Group 79. See the catalogue record.
Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.
| Photograph | Property | Distance | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
 | McCracken-Scott House | under 500 feet | 1978 |
 | Sarchet-Burgess House | under 500 feet | 1987 |
| Wheeling Avenue Historic District | 0.2 miles | 1987 | |
 | Broom Building | 0.2 miles | 1983 |
 | Berwick Hotel | 0.2 miles | 1983 |
 | McCreary-Burnworth House | 0.5 miles | 1982 |
| National Archives record | The nomination case file for reference 79001848 in Record Group 79. |
| Wikipedia article | Community-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA. |
| Guernsey County | All 22 listed properties in this county. |
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