Overfield Tavern
Why it's listed
Built in 1808 on Water Street in Troy, Ohio, this two-story log tavern was the first building raised in the newly platted county seat. Benjamin Overfield, who had settled near Staunton in 1803, bought a lot on the new town plat and began construction that spring; the tavern was licensed in September 1808. He offered the upstairs room to the county commissioners, and the first Miami County court, under Judge Francis Dunlavy, met there in November 1808. It is one of only two log structures remaining in Ohio that served as a temporary courthouse. Visitors reportedly included John Johnston, Arthur St. Clair and William Henry Harrison. The court moved elsewhere in 1811, and the building faded from view in the 1830s after a renovation around 1837. It was identified in 1948, then purchased, restored and furnished with antiques. Since 1966 it has operated as a museum, with a frontier tavern room downstairs and exhibits upstairs.
Significance in brief: It is nominated for its historical significance as one of only two log structures standing in Ohio that served as a temporary courthouse. It hosted the first Miami County court and was the first building raised in the newly platted county seat of Troy. The tavern was also known for its reputation and its notable visitors.
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 76001495, listed January 30, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 201 E. Water St., Troy |
|---|---|
| County | Miami County |
| Listed | January 30, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001495 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Benjamin Overfield |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Exploration/Settlement, Law, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored in 1948 and open to the public as a museum since 1966 under the Troy Historical Society; the rear wing and addition house a nursery school. Condition listed as excellent and altered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.03977, -84.20055 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 76001495.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q28153364
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.