George Hunt Pendleton House, Cincinnati
The George H. Pendleton House is a historic house in the Prospect Hill Historic District of Cincinnati. It was built in 1870 in the French Second Empire style. From 1879 until his death in 1889, this was the residence of Senator George Hunt Pendleton (1825-89). As a U.S. Senator (1879-1885), Pendleton spearheaded civil service reform, meeting here in 1882 to draft the Pendleton Act, which created the Civil Service merit system.
The house was built about 1870. It is a 2-1/2 story brick building, with a mansard roof providing a full third floor in the attic. The roof has a bracketed eave, and is pierced by dormers with flanking bracketed pilasters. The main facade is three bays wide, with a center entrance flanked by pilasters and topped by a corniced entablature.
Pendleton was a lawyer and Democratic politician, who first won election to the United States Senate in 1857. He left Congress in 1865, but was returned to the Senate in 1879. At the time, jobs in the federal government were largely distributed through political patronage, often without regard to the competence for the position by the individuals hired. Although Pendleton appears to not have been a strong advocate of civil service reform, a Senate subcommittee met in his Cincinnati home in early 1882 to complete a draft civil service reform bill.
This bill, enacted later in 1882 following widespread popular calls for civil service reform, was known as the Pendleton Act, and represents the birth of the modern merit-based civil service that has operated since. Pendleton's involvement in the bill cost him reelection in 1884, due to a lack of support from party operatives who had opposed the reforms.
The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
The house was built about 1870. It is a 2-1/2 story brick building, with a mansard roof providing a full third floor in the attic. The roof has a bracketed eave, and is pierced by dormers with flanking bracketed pilasters. The main facade is three bays wide, with a center entrance flanked by pilasters and topped by a corniced entablature.
Pendleton was a lawyer and Democratic politician, who first won election to the United States Senate in 1857. He left Congress in 1865, but was returned to the Senate in 1879. At the time, jobs in the federal government were largely distributed through political patronage, often without regard to the competence for the position by the individuals hired. Although Pendleton appears to not have been a strong advocate of civil service reform, a Senate subcommittee met in his Cincinnati home in early 1882 to complete a draft civil service reform bill.
This bill, enacted later in 1882 following widespread popular calls for civil service reform, was known as the Pendleton Act, and represents the birth of the modern merit-based civil service that has operated since. Pendleton's involvement in the bill cost him reelection in 1884, due to a lack of support from party operatives who had opposed the reforms.
The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
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George Hunt Pendleton House on Map
Sight Name: George Hunt Pendleton House
Sight Location: Cincinnati, USA (See walking tours in Cincinnati)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cincinnati, USA (See walking tours in Cincinnati)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cincinnati, Ohio
Create Your Own Walk in Cincinnati
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cincinnati is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cincinnati Introduction Walking Tour
Welcome to Cincinnati, Ohio鈥攁 place that blends historical richness with the vibrancy of cultural attractions!
The land that became Cincinnati had previously been occupied by Fort Washington. Before that, it was home to the Shawnee and other Native American tribes like the Miami, Ojibwe, and Lenape.
Founded in 1788, the city earned its name from the Society of the Cincinnati, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The land that became Cincinnati had previously been occupied by Fort Washington. Before that, it was home to the Shawnee and other Native American tribes like the Miami, Ojibwe, and Lenape.
Founded in 1788, the city earned its name from the Society of the Cincinnati, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Eden Park Walking Tour
Eden Park is undoubtedly the most popular park in Cincinnati, Ohio. This large outdoor area blends culture, history, and architecture in one stunning location. The park spans across lush greenery and scenic spots, making it a beloved retreat for locals and tourists alike. Apart from offering a tranquil escape amidst the urban bustle, Eden Park is also home to a number of famous city landmarks.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Cincinnati's Historical Buildings
A place where remarkable landmarks, river views and rolling hills are all part of the cityscape, Cincinnati, OH is a home to one of the most impressive collections of historic architecture in the United States. German homes, French cathedrals and splendid 19th-century mansions are found here in abundance. The list of architectural styles present in the city is truly impressive and includes Greek-,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Over-the-Rhine District Walking Tour
The historic Over-The-Rhine (OTR) neighborhood is one of the largest districts in the U.S. recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Its name comes from the predominantly German immigrants who developed the area in the mid-19th century and had to commute across bridges over the Miami and Erie Canal (nicknamed "the Rhine" in reference to the river in Germany) which separated... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles