National Register of Historic Places

Hunter, Norvall, Farm

Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio
Listed
August 28, 1985
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
85001883

About this property

The Norvall Hunter Farm is a historic farmstead on the edge of the village of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, United States. Established in the middle of the nineteenth century, the farm was once home to one of the village's first professionals, and it has been named a historic site because of its distinctive architecture. One of Mechanicsburg's first doctors, Obed Horr was also among its earliest businessmen. Operating a store in partnership with Joseph C. Brand from 1832 to 1837. he was successful enough to build his net worth to $4,000 by 1836. Besides practicing medicine and keeping his store, Horr was an active member of the community: he was the first Worshipful Master of the Mechanicsburg Masonic lodge, starting at the lodge's establishment in 1843; he was a prominent citizen, judge, and he trained others for the medical profession. Horr died at Mechanicsburg. In 1863, a family of Hunters settled in Mechanicsburg, having emigrated ultimately from Virginia, and within the year they had purchased Horr's home. The Hunter Farm comprises eleven historic buildings, centered on the high-style farmhouse. Built in 1850, the farmhouse is a two-story structure built of brick; architectural elements such as its pilasters and recessed entryway are constructed with evidence of influence from both the Greek Revival and Italianate styles. Three barns, three sheds, two other farm-related buildings, an additional storage building, and a garage form the rest of the farm complex; these ten outbuildings and a privy are placed in two clusters. In 1985, the Norvall Hunter Farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, qualifying both because of its distinctive historic architecture and because of its place as the home of a leading local citizen. It is one of twenty Mechanicsburg locations on the Register; all were listed at the same time as part of a multiple property submission because the village's high proportion of non-historic buildings frustrated locals' initial hopes of designating a larger historic district.

Location

Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio
40.06799, -83.55305

Categories

ARCHITECTUREAGRICULTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Settlement
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Nearby Historic Sites

Hamer's General Store
Industrial
0.1 mi
Magruder Building
Industrial
0.3 mi
Mechanicsburg Commercial Historic District
Listed
0.3 mi
Second Baptist Church
Industrial
0.3 mi
Mechanicsburg Baptist Church
Industrial
0.3 mi

Nearby Battles

Morgan's Raid — Mechanicsburg Ohio Skirmish
1863Civil War
0.4 mi
Logan's Raid on Shawnee Towns
1786Early Republic
5.6 mi

Questions about this property

When was Hunter, Norvall, Farm listed on the National Register?

Hunter, Norvall, Farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 28, 1985.

What type of historic resource is Hunter, Norvall, Farm?

Hunter, Norvall, Farm is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Hunter, Norvall, Farm?

The period of significance for Hunter, Norvall, Farm is recorded as the industrial era.

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