Wolfe, Mary A., House
Also known as: Elite Nursing Home
Why it's listed
Built in 1888 at 965 Burton Avenue in Cincinnati, this large coursed random stone house was designed by Samuel Hannaford & Sons for Mary A. Wolfe. Its front facade is marked by a massive wall dormer and a heavy arcaded porch with Romanesque portals, while a three-story engaged turret rises on the west side. A two-story beveled stone bay topped by a balcony, vermiculated sandstone lintels, and a copper balustrade with dentils and swags add detail. The east side has a Romanesque porte cochere. Later changes include a small rear addition, a stuccoed roof dormer, and removal of the turret cap. The house later became a nursing home for elderly residents but keeps most of its original character. It was recognized as an excellent example of Romanesque architecture and as one of the works of the Hannaford firm, a prominent Cincinnati architectural practice.
Significance in brief: The building was designed by the architectural firm Samuel Hannaford & Sons and is described as an excellent example of Romanesque architecture. It retains most of its original integrity. It is part of a thematic group of Hannaford works.
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 80003092, listed March 3, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 965 Burton Ave., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | March 3, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003092 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Samuel Hannaford & Sons |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a nursing home (rest home for elderly citizens); condition listed as good, with a small rear addition, a stuccoed roof dormer on the facade, and the turret cap removed. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.14978, -84.48342 (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 80003092.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6778770
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.