Deis, John, House
Also known as: Miller House; Ridenour House; Tus-182-4
Why it's listed
Built in 1868 on a corner lot at 203 W. 6th Street in Dover, this 2 1/2 story brick house follows the front-gable form of the Italianate style. A sandstone foundation panel carries the inscription "J. Deis. June 25. AD. 1868. By N. Finzer." Segmental-arched windows with stone lug sills, ornamental cast iron window hoods on the street-facing sides, and carved brackets under wide overhanging eaves define its appearance. A two-story rear wing and a summer kitchen extend behind the main block. Inside, the original floor plan survives, with oak flooring, a curved walnut staircase, walnut wainscoting in the parlor, and original fireplaces. Its significance rests on architecture. Among more than fifty surviving Italianate houses in Dover, it is the only front-gable example, and it is considered one of the two most intact. Later changes are limited to a c. 1920 door hood, a 1920s kitchen remodeling, and a rear carport.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the best examples of Italianate architecture in Dover and the only front-gable example among more than fifty surviving Italianate houses in the city. It retains nearly all of its original fabric and ornamentation, including cast iron window hoods and prominent roof brackets. It is described as one of the two most intact Italianate houses in Dover.
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 88000980, listed June 30, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 203 W. Sixth St., Dover |
|---|---|
| County | Tuscarawas County |
| Listed | June 30, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88000980 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1868 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (foundation panel inscribed "By N. Finzer") |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current function is single dwelling; the form describes a high degree of integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 40.52416, -81.48151 (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 88000980.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138753345
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.