Breese, Griffith, Farm
Also known as: Breeswood
Why it's listed
Breesewood is a farm of 65 acres south of Lima, Ohio, centered on a two-story, five-bay brick house in the Federal style. Griffith Breese, a Welsh-born farmer and trained mason, built it between 1840 and 1848 to replace an earlier log house. An Eastlake porch was added around 1890. Inside, the house keeps working fireplaces, original hardwood woodwork, natural wood floors and doors with the Cross and Bible panel pattern. An early barn on stone piers, a springhouse, a summer kitchen and newer horse barns complete the farmstead, and the Little Hog Creek runs through the land. Breese settled on former Shawnee Reservation land after the Shawnee were removed in 1831-32, eventually owning 1,100 acres. The farm was listed because it is the most intact pioneer homestead in this part of Allen County, it is tied to the Shawnee Reservation, and it survives amid suburban development. It may also hold archaeological potential.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the farm is significant for its architecture and as the most intact residence and farm of an original white settler on Shawnee lands after their removal in 1831-32. It is described as probably the most outstanding homestead in Allen County. It is also considered the most intact pioneer farming homestead in this part of the county and may have archaeological potential.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83001942, listed January 11, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2875 Fort Amanda Rd., Lima |
|---|---|
| County | Allen County |
| Listed | January 11, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001942 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Giffith Breese |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in excellent condition; used for pasturing and training horses, with the house interior restored after earlier division into apartments. |
| Acreage | 65 |
| Coordinates | 40.70264, -84.15910 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83001942.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5608870
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.