National Historic Landmarks
National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) represent the most significant places in the history of the United States of America. They illustrate and commemorate our collective past and help us to understand our national identity. Designated by the Secretary of the Interior, these cultural resources possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. By contrast, properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places are primarily of state and local significance.
NHL designation is an official recognition by the federal government of the national significance of historic properties, and today, fewer than 2,500 historic places bear this distinction. The City of Cincinnati includes an impressive collection of National Historic Landmarks consisting of 9 buildings, 1 cemetery and 1 boat.
Additional information about National Historic Landmarks can be obtained by contacting the National Historic Landmarks Program.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of properties worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the National Register are significant to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture in a specific locale, state, and/or the country. Although the National Register is a program of the National Park Service, it is administered at the state level by each respective state. In Ohio, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office administers the National Register program.
Additional information about the National Register of Historic Places and listed resources can be obtained by contacting the Ohio Historic Preservation Office or the National Park Service.
Local vs National Register Designation
Many people get confused over the similarities and differences between local historic designation and listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Here are the similarities: both recognize individual properties or collections of properties that are significant for their historical, architectural, archaeological and/or cultural associations; both use the same criteria to evaluate significance; and both include individual properties and districts. Here are the differences: the designation process; what type of work is reviewed and why; and the availability of tax incentives. This fact sheet briefly outlines these major differences: Differences Between Local and National Register Designation.
Individual Buildings Listed
National Register individual resources.
Districts Listed
The City of Cincinnati has 30 districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places. These districts range in size from a small grouping of 3 buildings to a collection of over 1,200 buildings.
- Betts-Longworth Historic District
- Cincinnati East Manufacturing and Warehouse District
- Cincinnati Observatory Historic District
- Clifton Avenue Historic District
- Columbia Tusculum Historic District
- Dayton Street Historic District
- East Fourth Street Historic District
- Eastwood Historic District
- Edgecliff Area Historic Group
- Gilbert-Sinton Historic District
- Hoffner Historic District
- Laurel Homes Historic District
- Lower Price Hill Historic District
- Lytle Park Historic District
- Madison-Stewart Historic District
- Madison and Woodburn Historic District
- Main and Third Street Cluster
- Mount Auburn Historic District
- Ninth Street Historic District
- Over-the-Rhine Historic District
- Peeble's Corner Historic District
- Prospect Hill Historic District
- Race Street Historic District
- Sedamsville River Road Historic District
- St. Francis de Sales Historic District
- St. Peter's Lick Run Historic District
- St. Paul’s Church Historic District
- Sycamore-13th Street Grouping
- West Fourth Street Historic District
- Westwood Town Center Historic District
