Friedlander, Abraham J., House
Also known as: Meckstroth, Schwierling, Wais and Monnie-Law Offices
Why it's listed
Built around 1830-1850 at 8 West Ninth Street, this three-story townhouse in downtown Cincinnati has a smooth sandstone front with incised horizontal bands and a classical Greek Revival entrance reached by six sandstone steps. Behind the main block are sympathetic brick additions, one dating to about 1855, and a carriage house. Inside, a three-story staircase with a cherry banister, tiger maple spindles and scrolled moldings is the most notable feature. The designer appears to have known the pattern books of Minard Lafever. The house also reflects the commercial life of Cincinnati. Ninth Street became a desirable residential area after 1824, and residents included meat packer John H. Gerard, dry goods merchant Simon Rindskopf and liquor dealer Lafayette La Boiteaux. The house takes its name from Abraham J. Friedlander, a Bavarian-born clothing manufacturer who lived there from 1871 until his death in 1897. The family left in 1898. As the neighborhood turned commercial, many neighboring homes were demolished, but this one survived with its architectural character largely intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a representative example of nineteenth-century Greek Revival townhouse architecture, inside and out, with details suggesting familiarity with the pattern books of Minard Lafever. It is also tied to Cincinnati's commercial history through its prosperous residents, including meat packers, dry goods merchants and clothing manufacturer Abraham J. Friedlander.
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 79001855, listed May 7, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 8 W. 9th St., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | May 7, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001855 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | C. 1830-1855 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as largely unaltered and currently used as law offices; lamp posts on the stoop were being restored and windows were being replaced. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 39.10549, -84.51414 (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 79001855.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4668929
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.