Dewitt, Zachariah Price, Cabin
Why it's listed
This two-and-one-half story hewn oak log cabin sits on about one acre east of Oxford, Ohio, reached by a rural lane that crosses a stream and passes through a grove of trees. It measures twenty-one by thirty-six feet and rests on a stone foundation, with a large stone chimney on the east wall. Around 1825 a lean-to kitchen, weatherboarding, brick fireplace lining, shutters, a portico, and a smokehouse were added. Inside are four rooms, ash floors, a tulip poplar ceiling, and exposed rafters showing adze and pit-saw marks. The cabin is described as the oldest log cabin still standing in Oxford township. It was built for Zachariah Price DeWitt, an early settler who served as township treasurer, ran a sawmill, commanded a company of riflemen in the War of 1812, and later built parts of two fraternity headquarters. After the DeWitts left, it served as a residence and then as a barn. The land passed to Miami University through a will, and the Oxford Museum Association hoped to restore it.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the oldest log cabin still standing in Oxford township and cites the quality of its construction and detail. It is also tied to Zachariah Price DeWitt, an early settler active in civic, religious, and military affairs. The land was settled before Miami University was founded.
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 73001392, listed April 13, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of Oxford on U.S. 73, Oxford |
|---|---|
| County | Butler County |
| Listed | April 13, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001392 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century; specific date ca. 1805 |
| Architect / builder | Zachariah Price DeWitt (built the cabin's occupancy; the form names him as original settler, not explicitly as builder) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Form lists the property as vacant and unoccupied, in fair condition, with preservation work in progress. A later grant application describes a planned restoration to about 1804 appearance. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 39.51068, -84.71864 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 73001392.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8063900
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.