Tanglewood
Why it's listed
Tanglewood is a square brick house of two and a half stories at 177 Belleview Avenue in Chillicothe, Ohio, built around 1850 into the side of a hill. It has a cut stone foundation, a hipped roof topped by a monitor, and a bracketed wooden cornice. The main entrance sits beneath a classical portico with Doric pilasters and Ionic columns, reached by a winding stone staircase. Its significance rests on its skilled execution of Chillicothe's regional Greek Revival style, which the architectural historian Talbot Hamlin described as dignified brick houses with low roofs and austere detail. The monitor form was unusual in 19th-century Ohio, and the Italianate details foreshadow a later style. Construction began for clergyman John McClean, and the house was finished for lawyer Richard Douglas. The Safford family later owned it, including William Edwin Safford, who became a naturalist and Vice-Governor of Guam. The Roche family bought it in 1915 and hosted many social gatherings there.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a skillfully executed example of Chillicothe's local Greek Revival architecture. It is also noted for its monitor form, which was not widely used in Ohio in the 19th century. The Italianate details, which appear original, anticipate the later style. It is also associated with William Edwin Safford, a naturalist and first American Vice-Governor of Guam, who was raised there.
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 79001934, listed June 20, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 177 Belleview Ave., Chillicothe |
|---|---|
| County | Ross County |
| Listed | June 20, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001934 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1850 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival with Italianate details; monitor style house |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition and altered; the form marks it as occupied and used as a private residence. Alterations include replacement of the facade windows and an added sun porch. |
| Acreage | 3.1 |
| Within district | Chillicothe's Old Residential District |
| Coordinates | 39.32759, -82.98838 (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 79001934.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7683035
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.