Lilley, Robert D., House
Also known as: Dr. James Bodenhamer residence
Why it's listed
Set on a wooded rise known locally as Lilley Hill, east of Hillsboro, this brick house dates to about 1806-07 and is thought to have been built by Sir James Carter, an Irishman who named the place Dublin Farm. It has a two-story central block laid in Flemish bond, one-story wings, and an unusual stepped brick cornice that is rare in the county. Robert Doak Lilley, an early Hillsboro physician, postmaster and state representative, acquired the farm around 1810-17, and his family lived there for generations. In 1870 the house was recognized as the center of population of the United States, and a marker on the garage notes this. The 17-acre parcel also holds a c. 1810 log house moved from Petersburg Pike in 1972, a stone spring house and an early twentieth-century barn. Together they preserve the visual setting of one of the town's oldest and best-preserved homes.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the oldest and best-preserved houses in Hillsboro and notes its link to the Lilley family, early physician and public official Robert Doak Lilley among them. It also cites the house's recognition as the center of population of the United States in 1870. The surrounding farm, with its log house, spring house and barn, is described as contributing to the visual harmony of the site.
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 82003595, listed June 17, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7915 OH 124, Hillsboro |
|---|---|
| County | Highland County |
| Listed | June 17, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003595 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Sir James Carter |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in excellent condition, unaltered and on its original site; occupied as a private residence. Restoration work was done in the 1960s. |
| Acreage | 17 |
| Coordinates | 39.19602, -83.59428 (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 82003595.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138361437
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.