Crescent Hill
Also known as: Lemert--Hornung--Miller House
Why it's listed
Crescent Hill is a two-story brick house at 44 West Fifth Street in Dresden, Ohio, built in 1856 for banker and merchant Lewis J. Lemert. It stands on a sandstone foundation atop a knoll, with a hipped roof, pedimental window hoods and a doorway with cranberry glass sidelights. The name came from a crescent-shaped weathervane on the original roof. Over time the house changed: a glazed belvedere and ornate frame porches disappeared, a bay window was added on the south side, and a concrete porch was built before 1917. Its importance lies in the people who lived there. Lemert founded Dresden's first bank in 1852. John Hornung, a pharmacist and bank cashier, bought the house in 1889 and later lost bank funds through speculation. John Miller, superintendent of a hosiery and woolen mill, purchased it in 1917 and his family kept it. Together these owners link the house to the village's commercial and industrial past.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is tied to the commercial and industrial heritage of Dresden. It was the home of two bankers, Lewis Lemert and John Hornung, and of John Miller, a manufacturing superintendent at a hosiery and woolen mill. It is treated as a local landmark whose associations with these men contribute to its local significance.
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 86000034, listed January 9, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 44 W. Fifth St., Dresden |
|---|---|
| County | Muskingum County |
| Listed | January 9, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86000034 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent and altered; the house remains occupied as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | Muskingum River Navigation Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.94223, -82.01373 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 86000034.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138639827
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.