Resor, William, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1843 by William Resor, this three-story frame house in Cincinnati's Clifton area has a slate mansard roof with metal cresting and dormer windows on the third story. The square front portion is wrapped by a verandah with Doric wood columns. A domed gazebo with cast iron columns was added at the southeast corner after the house was moved in the 1890s. Entrances on either side of the front have slightly arched doors with crescent fanlights, and long front windows reach the verandah floor. Inside, the carved woodwork is noted for its detail and condition. The house originally faced Clifton Avenue but was turned and moved, and it now faces Greendale Avenue, a name taken from the original estate. Resor, a descendant of Cincinnati's first mayor, Isaac G. Burnet, made his fortune from the city's first stove factory, founded in 1819. He later helped found the Zoo and joined the group that established the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the house as an architecturally fascinating combination of elements. It is also tied to William Resor, who founded Cincinnati's first stove factory in 1819, helped found the Zoo and helped establish the Cincinnati Art Museum.
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 73001466, listed March 7, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 254 Greendale Ave., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | March 7, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001466 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific dates 1843 and 1890's) |
| Architect / builder | William Resor |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in fair condition, altered and moved, used as a two-family residence in recent years, and being restored by new owners. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Clifton Avenue Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.15176, -84.51685 (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 73001466.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8017487
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.