Botzum Farm
Also known as: NPS Tract #116-032; Lcs #1879-1887
Why it's listed
Botzum Farm is a farmstead on a terrace above Riverview Road in the Cuyahoga Valley, in Summit County, Ohio. The nominated area covers 23.5 acres and holds ten contributing resources: a 1906 yellow molded concrete block house, a matching summer kitchen and privy, a frame summer kitchen from the 1890s, a small Pomeranian barn from 1884, a larger 1898 bank barn that served as a dairy barn, a machine shed, fencing, a well site and an adjacent field. A 1930s cabin, barbecue and concrete block privy do not contribute. The farm was listed for its link to the valley's agricultural growth in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when rail transport and urban markets raised demand for farm goods. The Botzum family excelled at raising livestock and sold hay, seed and mill-feed. After a fire in 1906, they rebuilt with concrete block, reflecting both their business in building materials and a wish for fire resistance.
Significance in brief: Under Criterion A, the farm reflects agricultural practices in the Cuyahoga Valley during the period of railroads, industrialization and scientific farming (1851-1913). Under Criterion C, its buildings show late nineteenth-century farm construction alongside early twentieth-century molded concrete block buildings. The concrete block house and outbuildings reflect the Botzum Brothers' business interests and a desire for fire resistance after the original frame house burned in 1906.
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 99001271, listed October 21, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3486 Riverview Rd., Cuyahoga Falls |
|---|---|
| County | Summit County |
| Listed | October 21, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99001271 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1876-1930 |
| Architect / builder | Botzum Brothers Company |
| Architectural style | Other: Homestead House (two-story front gable) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the National Park Service since 1991 and part of its Historic Property Leasing Program; currently leased to a member of the Botzum family. The south windows of the house are boarded up. |
| Acreage | 23.5 |
| Within district | Valley Railway Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.17492, -81.58149 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 99001271.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q100433285
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.