Pershing, Christian, Barn
Also known as: Norma Johnson Barn; Sunny Slopes Farm
Why it's listed
This large bank barn stands in a rural setting about 3½ miles west of Dover, Ohio. Built no later than about 1861-65 by Christian Pershing, Jr., it measures 42 by 99 feet and rests on a stone foundation under a slate roof. It is a Sweitzer barn, a Pennsylvania German type with a cantilevered forebay, an upper-level haymow and lower-level livestock bays. Granaries sit in the corners of the forebay, and wagon doors open from a raised bank on the uphill side. Vertical plank siding and louvered vents cover the walls, and the lower framing uses hand-hewn timbers that appear to have been reused from an earlier building. Pershing, born in Pennsylvania in 1787, used the barn to fatten range cattle and became a leading beef supplier for Dover. The barn was listed for its architecture. At six bays, it is the largest example of its type in Tuscarawas County, where Sweitzer barns are uncommon. No house or other outbuilding remains, and the barn is vacant.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the barn is an outstanding example of the Sweitzer barn type under Criterion C for architecture. It shows nearly all features of the type, including a cantilevered forebay, granaries, central wagon doors and a symmetrical roof. At six bays long it is the largest Sweitzer barn in Tuscarawas County, where the type is uncommon.
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 92000172, listed March 19, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off OH 39 W of Dover, Dover |
|---|---|
| County | Tuscarawas County |
| Listed | March 19, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000172 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1861-65 |
| Architect / builder | Builder unknown (built by Christian Pershing, Jr., per the narrative) |
| Architectural style | Sweitzer barn (Pennsylvania German barn) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as vacant; no associated house or other outbuildings survive. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.51604, -81.54590 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 92000172.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138753412
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.