Allen, Lyman, House And Barn
Also known as: Donohue, William, & Dorothy, House
Why it's listed
North of Amanda in rural Fairfield County, Ohio, this two-story brick farmhouse was built around 1855 for Lyman Allen, a prominent local landowner. The main block is 40 feet square with a stone foundation, a truncated hip roof of gray slate, a bracketed cornice and a belvedere reached by a spiral staircase. A paneled front door with transom and sidelights opens onto a small porch with square wood columns. Behind the house, a wing holds a summer kitchen and smokehouse, and a carriage house is linked to it by a short breezeway. A bank barn northeast of the house has hand-hewn beams joined with pegs. Inside, the original walnut paneling and woodwork survive, and the house has seven fireplaces. The complex is regarded as an excellent example of early farm architecture in the county, with fine detailing that reflects the wealth of the family who built it. The original owners kept it until the late 1890s.
Significance in brief: The house, carriage house and bank barn are presented as excellent examples of early Fairfield County farm architecture. The fine detailing reflects that the complex was built for a wealthy and prominent family. It remained with the original owners until the late 1890s and is very well preserved.
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 76001420, listed November 18, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Amanda on OH 188, Amanda |
|---|---|
| County | Fairfield County |
| Listed | November 18, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001420 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1855 |
| Architectural style | Italian Villa |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as very well preserved, with few interior changes apart from modern plumbing and lighting; the form lists the property as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 39.69672, -82.79437 (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 76001420.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14716648
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.