Crane, Jonathan, Farm
Also known as: Clement Ranallo Residence
Why it's listed
Built in 1811 south of Red Lion in Warren County, Ohio, this two-story, T-shaped farmhouse was built of three-course brick made on the land itself. Its style appears to be Federal, with later Greek Revival touches. A date of 1811 is set in fired brick on the north wall. Inside are hand-hewn walnut attic beams marked with Roman numerals, wide-plank floors, and eight fireplaces. An addition was made after the 1850s, and the house was modernized in the 1930s. Jonathan Crane bought 247 acres from Judge Symmes and became a respected farmer who set up irrigation ditches and a mill dam that protected his fields during the flooding of 1817. The Crane family was among the first settlers in the area, and the first school stood on his land. John Todd's family bought the farm in 1832 and lived there for about 82 years, taking part in the Grange, school, church and other community life in Red Lion.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the house as a fine, sturdy example of rural architecture that has survived since 1811 in livable condition. It also links the property to Jonathan Crane, an early settler and skilled farmer who devised an early irrigation system, and to the Todd family, who owned the farm for some 82 years and contributed to Red Lion's civic life.
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 78002202, listed February 17, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Franklin on OH 741, Franklin |
|---|---|
| County | Warren County |
| Listed | February 17, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002202 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1811 |
| Architectural style | Federal, with later Greek Revival touches |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; described as in very livable condition, with a brick smokehouse and a frame summer kitchen in poor condition remaining. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 39.48637, -84.25252 (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 78002202.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138754290
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.