Austin-Magie Farm and Mill District
Also known as: Felix Fryman Farm
Why it's listed
Along Four Mile Creek, a mile north of Oxford, Ohio, this 34-acre district preserves a working farm landscape and the remains of a large water-powered mill. The centerpiece is a two-and-one-half story brick farmhouse built in 1841, with a symmetrical five-bay front, Flemish bond brickwork and nine-over-nine windows. Nearby are a gambrel-roofed dairy barn, other barns and a corn crib from the 1920s and 1930s, plus a dilapidated early nineteenth-century braced frame house. Aaron Austin, who owned the land from 1815 to 1863, built the house, the frame building and the mill. Only the limestone foundation of the overshot mill survives, along with a millrace about one mile long, the largest earthen structure of its kind in Oxford Township. The mills operated from 1815 to 1916. Later owner David M. Magie became known for the large hogs called the Magie Breed, forerunners of the Poland China. The district was listed for its agricultural, industrial and architectural associations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the district represents intensive nineteenth-century agricultural and milling activity in Butler County. The Austin-Pugh mills operated from 1815 to 1916 and formed Oxford Township's largest mill complex. The farmhouse is an example of rural vernacular architecture. The farm was also owned by David M. Magie, a prominent stock farmer whose 'Magie Breed' swine were forerunners of the Poland China hog.
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 82001360, listed December 21, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Section 14, Oxford Township ., Oxford |
|---|---|
| County | Butler County |
| Listed | December 21, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001360 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | circa 1815-1940 |
| Architect / builder | Aaron Austin (mill) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular "I" house |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Mixed condition: the farmhouse and farm buildings are occupied and in agricultural and residential use, while the early frame house is dilapidated and only the stone foundation of the mill remains. |
| Acreage | 34 |
| Coordinates | 39.53194, -84.73494 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 82001360.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4822937
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.