Aurora, nestled on the side of a hill was once known as the Crescent City because the town curves along the rolling hills that parallel the Ohio River, offering commanding views of the slow-moving waters. In the 19th century Crescent City beer was shipped from the bustling port in Aurora to the Gulf of Mexico. From there it made its way across the Atlantic.

And as befitting for the wealthy owner of the brewery, hillforest.org built an Italian Renaissance style mansion atop a hill that overlooked the river. But Gaff must have had a touch of whimsy to his character because this confection of a house, painted yellow with green shutters and white edging and columns, also has the look of a steamship, albeit a magnificent one.

The third-floor belvedere (an elevated structure that offers a beautiful view) as well as the first and second floor porches has the curved front of a pilot house.