Higby House
Also known as: Dresbach House
Why it's listed
Set on the side of a low hill above the Scioto River south of Chillicothe, this two-story brick house was built in 1857 for Sylvester N. Higby, a farmer who also served as storekeeper, station agent and postmaster for nearby Higby's Station. The L-shaped house has a gabled metal roof, an ashlar stone foundation, and a front portico with paired Doric columns sheltering a six-panel door with sidelights and transom. Plain walls draw attention to the stepped brick dentils under the eaves. A rear addition, a frame shed, a small brick outbuilding and a large barn complete the group. The house was listed as a particularly noteworthy example of the Greek Revival styling found in Ross County, where brick houses with austere detailing, low rooflines and small classical porticos were common. Apart from the cornice, it looks much as it did in an 1875 county atlas. The four-acre nominated area includes the hillside crest and its view across the valley.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an excellent example of the Greek Revival style popular in Ross County in the mid-nineteenth century, with austere brick walls, brick dentil cornice work and Doric columned porticos. Its hillside site overlooking the Scioto River, canal and railroad also reflects the commerce of the valley.
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 79001933, listed November 29, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Chillicothe on Three Locks Rd, Chillicothe |
|---|---|
| County | Ross County |
| Listed | November 29, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001933 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1857) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence; condition listed as fair, with the rear barn described as in poor condition. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 39.19738, -82.86589 (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 79001933.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138667120
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.