Shack, The
Also known as: Daugherty,Harry, House
Why it's listed
Set on Tick Ridge beside Deer Creek Lake in Pickaway County, Ohio, The Shack is a 1-1/2 story frame house built in 1918. Its walls are rough hewn oak and native chestnut stained with creosote, with board and batten siding, a gabled roof, wood casement windows and a large fireplace of round river rocks. A 50 foot deck at the back overlooks the lake. The house was the retreat of Harry M. Daugherty, an Ohio politician and Republican operative best known for promoting Warren G. Harding's 1920 presidential campaign and for serving as Attorney General under Harding and Coolidge. Because of his health, Daugherty needed frequent rest, and he came here for solitude, sometimes with his assistant Jess Smith. He retreated here after Harding's death and funeral. The house is considered representative of the private country retreats that public figures keep for peace of mind. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources was restoring the exterior and converting the interior to overnight lodging.
Significance in brief: The house was the private retreat of Harry M. Daugherty, a Republican political operative who promoted Warren G. Harding's 1920 presidential campaign and served as Attorney General under Harding and Coolidge. He used it for rest and solitude for the rest of his life. The nomination presents it as representative of the private country retreats public figures keep for relaxation.
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 74001596, listed May 23, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Williamsport, Williamsport |
|---|---|
| County | Pickaway County |
| Listed | May 23, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001596 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 20th Century (specific date 1918) |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Altered; the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which leases it, was restoring the exterior to its original appearance and altering the interior for overnight lodging. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.63548, -83.22963 (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 74001596.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138648233
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.