Highbank Farm
Why it's listed
Highbank Farm occupies a low rise on the west side of the Scioto River floodplain southeast of Chillicothe. The nominated five acres hold a two-story brick farmhouse built in stages: an early 19th century core, a rear wing, and an irregular front block added in 1884. A 19th century I-beam bridge over Dry Run, whose exact date is unknown, is also included. Joseph Harness settled the land in 1802, and a brick house stood by the mid-1820s. His son Edwin Harness worked with cattleman Felix Renick, helped organize the 1833 company that imported English Shorthorn cattle, and bred stock here. The Vause family, related by marriage, continued the cattle trade and later made the farm a centre of Democratic Party activity, with a rally in the early 1880s said to draw over 20,000 people. The 1884 enlargement responded to the demands of farm business and social life.
Significance in brief: The farm is tied to the Harness and Vause families and to the early 19th century cattle industry of the Scioto Valley. Edwin Harness helped organize the 1833 company that imported English Shorthorn cattle and used the farm for selective breeding. The Vause family kept the farm in the cattle trade, and it later became a social and Democratic Party gathering place.
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 80003215, listed October 20, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | SE of Chillicothe on OH 35, Chillicothe |
|---|---|
| County | Ross County |
| Listed | October 20, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003215 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; the farm remains in the Vanmeter family. The house is described as in good condition and altered. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 39.27091, -82.89682 (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 80003215.
- 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.