Ohio’s 76 National Historic Landmarks
Through the Eyes of Three Preservation Experts
Todd Kleismit, Executive Director of America 250-Ohio
In honor of Ohio Open Doors, we’re putting a spotlight on Ohio’s 76 National Historic Landmarks (NHLs). There are more than 4,000 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Ohio. America 250-Ohio thought it would be fun to dive a little deeper into the more exclusive list of NHLs in Ohio. Only eight states have more NHLs than Ohio (South Carolina also has 76). New York (276), Massachusetts (192) and Pennsylvania (169) lead the way. Illinois is the only state in the Midwest with more than Ohio with 89 NHLs.
Last week, we asked Barb Powers, retired from the State Historic Preservation Office, about some of her favorites. This week, we asked Joyce Barrett who retired after many years as the executive director of Heritage Ohio, one of the state’s leading historic preservation advocacy organizations.
Joyce said she approached this question a few different ways, then settled on NHL sites that represent the ‘American Spirit’ envisioned if the founding fathers could look forward to an idealized country. She chose 13 iconic sites that, of course, being National Historic Landmarks had great impact on forming who we are as a country.
Here are Joyce’s top picks…
In This Series:
Three preservation experts share their favorite National Historic Landmarks in honor of Ohio Open Doors 2026:
- Part 1: Barb Powers
- Part 2: Joyce Barrett
- Part 3: Bob Loversidge
Meet this Week’s Guide:
Joyce Barrett
Retired Executive Director of Heritage Ohio
13 National Historic Landmarks That Define the “American Spirit” in Ohio
Beginning Point of the US Public Land Survey
East Liverpool—1785
Understanding the orderly creation of the 36 square mile townships and their subdivisions is the foundation of our westward movement. The Northwest Territory’s Public Land Survey system started just outside East Liverpool at the Beginning Point of the US Public Land Survey. The monument, commemorating the spot (which is now technically in the river) is maintained by the East Liverpool Historical Society.
William H McGuffey House
Oxford—1833
William McGuffey wrote the first four McGuffey Readers here, which were standard primary textbooks from 1836-1960. The United States’ push for public education is pretty phenomenal. Here each child should have a chance at anything and everything. Now the McGuffey House and Museum operated by Miami University, in Oxford.
Ohio Erie Canal
Valley View – 1820-1830s
The scale of the proposed canal and locks infrastructure to support American agriculture and commerce was a significant undertaking. What manpower! The connectivity of rural to urban began to blend our modern commercial growth. Many parks are along the Ohio Erie Canal including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
John Rankin House
Ripley – 1828
Though slavery is an ugly truth of our past, the heroes of the underground railroad movement are well represented in Ohio. The John Rankin House was a beacon to freedom overlooking the Ohio River. Operated as a house museum by the Ohio History Connection in Ripley.
Thomas A. Edison Birthplace
Milan – 1841
Birthplace of perhaps the USA’s most prolific inventor: light bulb, phonograph, motion pictures. The Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum has been in operation since 1947 in Milan, Ohio.
Cincinnati Observatory
Cincinnati – 1842
The Cincinnati Observatory building gives homage to the excitement of America’s 19th century quest for scientific thinking through astronomy. The cornerstone ceremony was the last public speech by former president John Quincy Adams. Operated by the University of Cincinnati, it holds open hours where you can still peer through that 19th century telescope, once the largest in the world.
Harriet Upton Taylor House
Warren – 1887-1931
The Harriet Taylor Upton House was home to one of Ohio’s premier suffragettes. Ms. Upton used her house as the headquarters for the National American Woman’s Suffrage Association. One of many organizations which helped bring voting rights to 50% of the population. Operated as a house museum by the Upton Association in Warren.
Wright Cycle Company
Dayton — 1895-1897
This is one of three Wright Brother NHL sites. The tinkering and fine-tuning process led to air flight, changing the world. The Wright Cycle Company is operated as a National Park in Dayton.
Stan Hywet Hall
Akron – 1915
I’ve always had a soft spot for mansions, and industrialist F. A. Seiberling, co-founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber built a 64,500 sq. ft. masterpiece, now known as Stan Hywet Hall. The home and gardens are now a historic house museum operating in Akron.
Peoples Federal Savings and Loan
Sidney – 1917
A jewel box bank building designed by Louis Sullivan. The Peoples Federal Savings and Loan building represents early 20th century small town America, prosperity and breath-taking design integrated into daily life. Still operated as a bank which welcomes visitors in Sidney.
Majestic Showboat
Ohio River – 1923
The Majestic Showboat was last floating theater to be built in USA which survived until 1988 as a venue in Cincinnati for summer stock theater. Imagine the great rivers plied by colorful floating vessels of entertainment! Wow! An Ohio NHL site, though through its complicated story it is now moored in Kentucky, someday hopefully, it will come home (the only site on my list not currently open to the public).
Cincinnati Union Terminal
Cincinnati – 1933
The Cincinnati Union Terminal is perhaps the most phenomenal Art Deco building in the country. This site represents the heyday of the railroads as well as a great depression era project (there were few). As Garrison Keillor said, about the St Paul train station “when you got there, you knew you were going somewhere!” Open to the public as a museum center and limited inconvenient passenger rail service.
May 4, 1970 Kent State Shootings Site
Kent – 1970
Four students in their quest for peace, were gunned down by the Ohio National Guard. The tragic event was certainly a turning point in public perception and unrest during the Vietnam War. The site is open to the public, and the May 4 Visitor Center is operated by Kent State University.
Next Week: Bob Loversidge’s 13 Favorite National Historic Landmarks in Ohio
Next week we’ll ask Bob Loversidge, retired president and CEO of Schooley Caldwell Associates, a leading architectural firm based in Columbus, about his 13 favorites.
P.S.: Don’t forget to participate in the Ohio Open Doors (through September 20!). Find out more online by clicking here.