Morrow-Overman-Fairley House
Also known as: Fairley House
Why it's listed
Three blocks north of downtown Hillsboro, a large brick house stands on a shaded corner lot at North High and Willow Streets. William A. Morrow, a prominent dry goods merchant, built it in 1873 in the Italianate style, with a hipped roof, bracketed cornice, bargeboard trim and tall arched windows. In 1922 the house was stuccoed, given a raised porch with semi-elliptical arches, and extended at the rear. It was among the first houses in Hillsboro to be stuccoed, and it is described as the town's best example of 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival influence. Inside, the carved stairway, stone fireplaces, original woodwork, doorknobs, locks and lighting fixtures survive. C.M. Overman bought the house in 1881, and Richard and Mary Fairley acquired it in 1894. The Fairley family's hardware and banking interests and civic leadership, along with the house's two architectural phases, form the basis for its recognition.
Significance in brief: The house blends Italianate architecture with 1920s Spanish-influenced styling and is described as the best example of Spanish Colonial Revival influence in Hillsboro. It is also tied to three prominent local families, the Morrows, Overmans and Fairleys, whose members were active in business, banking and community life.
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 84003729, listed May 31, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 404 N. High St., Hillsboro |
|---|---|
| County | Highland County |
| Listed | May 31, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003729 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899, 1900- (specific dates 1873, 1922) |
| Architectural style | Italianate with 1920s transitional/Spanish Colonial Revival influence |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in use as a private residence; condition marked excellent, with a largely unaltered interior. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.20629, -83.61028 (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 84003729.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138362784
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.