Morgan-Hueston House
Also known as: Hay House; Elisha Morgan Mansion; Gilbert House; Gilbert Farms
Why it's listed
Set in Gilbert Farms Park on Ross Road in Fairfield, Ohio, this two-story brick house was built in two stages. The front section dates to 1817, when Elisha Morgan bought the land, and shows Federal features such as Flemish bond brickwork, a three-bay facade, 6/6 windows with radiating brick lintels and a simple interior stair. In 1858 owner David Hueston added a Greek Revival rear wing with squared Doric columns, flat stone lintels, mantels with pilasters and a recessed two-story porch that is unusual for the style locally. The house is one of only a few surviving Fairfield Township houses of its period and a rare early farmstead. Later owners included the Ross and Gilbert families, and the City of Fairfield bought the house and 16 acres in 1979. The house has been vacant since 1982. Fire, water damage and missing fixtures have affected the interior, though much original fabric remains.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues local significance under Criterion C as an extant example of Federal and Greek Revival architecture in Fairfield Township. The two construction phases show the two dominant early 19th-century styles in southwest Ohio. The recessed two-story porch is an unusual feature for Greek Revival buildings in the area. It is also a rare early farmstead in the township.
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 90001495, listed October 1, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Ross Rd. between Mack Rd. and Woodridge Blvd., Fairfield |
|---|---|
| County | Butler County |
| Listed | October 1, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001495 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1817-1858 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Federal; Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant since 1982 and not in use; the kitchen, heating, plumbing and electrical systems are non-operable, and the rear porch is deteriorated. The city owns the property and has removed outbuildings. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.31172, -84.50610 (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 90001495.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6911552
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.