The Balch House is a historic house in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Located along Greendale Avenue in that city's Clifton neighborhood,[1] it is a two-and-a-half-story building constructed primarily in the Queen Anne style of architecture.[2]: 5
In 1892, Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad executive George Balch moved to Clifton. Four years later, deciding to construct a house for himself, he chose renowned Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford.[3] Balch was one of many Clifton residents to commission designs from Hannaford: having built a reputation as one of Cincinnati's premier Gilded Age architects, Hannaford had designed large numbers of houses for the residents of upscale neighborhoods such as Clifton.[2]: 10 The Balch House was one of Hannaford's last residences in the area, for he retired in 1897.[2]: 11
Built of brick and stucco on a stone foundation, the Balch House is covered by a slate roof.[4] Among its distinctive architectural features is the large gable on the front, which rises above a large frame porch that rests on brick pedestals. Individuals can enter the house through an ornate entrance located under a decorated smaller gable, while a large gable similar to that of the front crowns the house's western side. The overall floor plan of the house is the shape of an "L."[3]
In 1980, the Balch House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its well-preserved historic architecture.[1] Dozens of other Cincinnati buildings were added to the Register at the same time as part of a multiple property submission of buildings designed by Hannaford.[2]: 3
