Pinney, Dr. Eli, House
Also known as: Cashell Residence
Why it's listed
This two-story brick house at 109 S. Riverview Street in Dublin, Ohio, dates to the early settlement period, with dates given as 1827 and 1842. It was first built by Charles Sells, a hatter, as a single-story or story-and-a-half dwelling. After 1842, Dr. Eli Pinney, Dublin's second doctor, enlarged it by adding a second story and a kitchen wing. The result is a simple Greek Revival building with plain boxed cornices, flat-arched windows with radiating voussoirs, a tin gable roof and common-bond brick walls. A map from 1856 shows the present L-shaped plan. Local sources describe it as the oldest brick house in the area and one of the three oldest buildings in Dublin. It is also one of the few Dublin buildings that show Greek Revival traits. Tradition holds that it served as an Underground Railroad stop, and a two-inch pipe found in a fireplace has been suggested as a means of secret communication. It remains a private residence on a landscaped lot.
Significance in brief: It is described as the oldest brick house in the area and one of the three oldest buildings in Dublin. It is also one of the few Dublin buildings showing Greek Revival characteristics, and it is linked to Dr. Eli Pinney, Dublin's second doctor. Local tradition reports it was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
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 79002761, listed April 11, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 109 S. Riverview St., Dublin |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | April 11, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002761 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Charles Sells (Charles Bells in some entries), a hatter and relative of Dublin's founder; enlarged by Dr. Eli Pinney |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence, with interior and exterior condition listed as good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.09732, -83.11220 (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 79002761.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138330538
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.