Martindale, Samuel, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1868 on the edge of a bluff above the Stillwater River valley, this brick farmhouse near Englewood in Butler Township, Montgomery County, reflects the shift from Greek Revival to early Victorian design. It has a coursed stone foundation, a six-panel front door with sidelights and a bracketed frontispiece, and a striking circular stairway with ornamented spandrels. The original basement kitchen survives with its crane. Additions to the rear were made by about 1875 and later, but the house still closely resembles an 1875 lithograph. Samuel Martindale, the original owner, served as a captain in the 35th Ohio Volunteer Infantry until his hearing was destroyed in battle, and was later elected Montgomery County Commissioner, serving through 1875. The family kept the property until 1918. In 1926 it was bought by Dr. Frederick Barr, a National Cash Register vice president and personal physician to John H. Patterson. The surrounding land is now parkland with trails potential.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a fine example of a prosperous, post-Civil War gentleman farmer's home that shows Greek Revival influence. It is also tied to Samuel Martindale, a Civil War captain and county commissioner. Later owner Dr. Frederick Barr, a National Cash Register vice president and physician to John H. Patterson, adds to its local interest.
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 78002148, listed May 22, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Englewood off U.S. 40, Englewood |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | May 22, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002148 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1868 |
| Architectural style | Early Victorian showing transition from Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Military, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as inhabited and in an excellent state of repair, with minor alterations and a rear addition; owned by the Dayton-Montgomery County Park District. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.89551, -84.28619 (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 78002148.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.