Baker, John S., House
Also known as: The Mr. and Mrs. James Mixter House
Why it's listed
Built around 1854 on a plateau above the Ohio River, this brick house on Madison Road in Cincinnati is a large Gothic Revival residence. John S. Baker, who came to Cincinnati from New Jersey in 1814, built it on a site then set in a rural suburb. The design is attributed to Cincinnati architect James Keys Wilson, who was assisted by Baker's son Nathan, a local sculptor who later bought many of the interior furnishings in Europe. The asymmetrical facades feature a three-story tower with a battlement, stone coping, pinnacles, pointed-arch windows and quatrefoil tracery. Inside, cast iron balustrades, marble fireplaces and ceilings with foliated molding continue the Gothic theme. A sympathetic addition dates from 1909, and the grounds include a board-and-batten studio and a c. 1890 servants' residence. A local inventory identified it as the city's only residential example showing this range of Gothic Revival detail, which is the basis for its listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a distinctive example of Gothic Revival architecture and the only large-scale brick residence in Cincinnati showing such a variety of the style's detailing. Its design is attributed to noted Cincinnati architect James Keys Wilson. The asymmetrical plan, crenellated tower and Gothic interior details are emphasized.
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 79001852, listed June 6, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1887 Madison Rd., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | June 6, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001852 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | James Keys Wilson |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in excellent condition and occupied as a private residence; the studio and servants' quarters are used for storage. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Coordinates | 39.12927, -84.46784 (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 79001852.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6256165
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.