Goshorn, Sir Alfred T., House
Why it's listed
Sited on a gently sloping lot on the east side of Clifton Avenue in Cincinnati, this large ashlar stone house was completed in 1888. The main block rises three stories under a gambrel roof, with a round turret beside a round-arched entrance portal. A prominent two-story hexagonal wing on the south side, topped by a large skylight, was designed as an art gallery for the owner's collection and ends in a round and hexagonal tower. Roofs are tile and the chimneys carry ceramic pots. Inside, cherry, maple and oak finishes and parquet floors of rare woods are paired with stained glass and a gold-plated chandelier to shape the lighting. Architect James W. McLaughlin, a founder of the Cincinnati chapter of the A.I.A., designed it for Sir Alfred T. Goshorn, president of Anchor White Lead Company, who was knighted by Queen Victoria. The house reflects Romanesque style and is noted for its lighting design.
Significance in brief: The house illustrates the popularity of Romanesque design in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. It is considered even more notable for the architect's skillful handling of interior lighting. It was also the home of Goshorn, an Anchor White Lead Company president who was knighted by Queen Victoria and decorated by several European governments.
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 73001459, listed April 3, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3540 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | April 3, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001459 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (completed 1888) |
| Architect / builder | James W. McLaughlin (architect) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a private residence; buildings and grounds in good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.14720, -84.51834 (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 73001459.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7525976
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.