National Register of Historic Places listings in Erie County, Ohio facts for kids

Location of Erie County in Ohio

Have you ever wondered about the oldest and most special buildings or places in your area? In Erie County, Ohio, there are many amazing historic sites! These places are so important that they are officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect and celebrate buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its unique value.

In Erie County, Ohio, there are 179 places on this special list. Two of these are even more important and are called National Historic Landmarks. The city of Sandusky has 114 of these historic spots, which are listed in a separate article. This article will tell you about the other 65 cool places outside of Sandusky, including the two National Historic Landmarks!

What is the National Register of Historic Places?
- National Historic Landmarks
Historic Places Outside Sandusky
Images for kids

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places (often called the NRHP) is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's part of a program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archaeological resources.

When a place is added to the National Register, it gets special recognition. It also means that certain federal projects might need to consider how they could affect the historic property. This helps make sure these important places are preserved for future generations.

National Historic Landmarks

Even more special than a regular National Register listing is a National Historic Landmark (NHL). These are places that have exceptional national importance. They are recognized as representing an outstanding aspect of American history and culture. There are only about 2,600 NHLs in the entire country, so having two in Erie County is a big deal!

Historic Places Outside Sandusky

Let's explore some of the fascinating historic places in Erie County that are not in Sandusky. These sites are spread across different towns and townships, each with its own unique story.

Milan's Historic Gems

The town of Milan is home to several important historic sites, including one of the National Historic Landmarks.

Abbott-Page House: This historic house is located northeast of Milan. It was listed on the National Register in 1975.
Ebenezer Andrews House: Found on South Main Street in Milan, this house was added to the list in 1974.
Thomas Alva Edison Birthplace: This is one of Erie County's two National Historic Landmarks! It's the house where the famous inventor Thomas Edison was born in 1847. He invented the light bulb, the phonograph, and many other things that changed the world. This birthplace was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1966.
Jenkins-Perry House: Another historic home in Milan, listed in 1974.
J.C. Lockwood House: Located on Edison Drive, this house was added to the Register in 1974.
Milan Historic District: This isn't just one building, but a whole area in Milan! It includes Main Street, Church Street, Front Street, and Edison Drive. Many buildings in this district were built a long time ago and show the history of Milan. It became a historic district in 1975.
Mitchell Historic District: Another historic area in Milan, focusing on Center Street. It was also listed in 1975.

Vermilion's Maritime History

The city of Vermilion has a rich history tied to Lake Erie and shipping. Many of its historic buildings reflect this past.

Barber Shop: This old barber shop on Liberty Avenue was listed in 1979.
Baxtine House: Located at the junction of Ohio and Perry Streets, this house is also a historic landmark from 1979.
Captain Bradley's Second House: Found on Decatur Street, this house belonged to a ship captain and was listed in 1979.
Captain Alva Bradley House: Another house linked to a captain, on Huron Street, listed in 1979.
Cargo Warehouse: This warehouse on Liberty Avenue, near the water, reminds us of Vermilion's shipping past. It was listed in 1979.
John Denzel House: A historic home on Douglas Street, added in 1979.
Englebry's Dry Goods: This old dry goods store on Main Street was listed in 1979.
Dr. Englebry's Office: Right next to the dry goods store, this was Dr. Englebry's office, listed in 1979.
Erie County Bank Building: This important building at the junction of Liberty Avenue and Main Street was listed in 1979.
Evangelical and Reformed Church: This church on Grand and Ohio Streets was listed in 1979.
First Baptist Church: Another historic church in Vermilion, on Main Street, listed in 1979.
JOSEPH FRANCIS IRON SURF BOAT: This is a unique historic object – an iron surf boat! It's located on Main Street and was listed in 1979.
Captain Gilchrist House: A captain's house on Huron Street, listed in 1979.
Captain Gilchrist, Sr., House: Another Gilchrist family home, at the junction of Ohio and Grand Streets, listed in 1979.
Great Lakes Historical Society Marine Museum: This museum, located at the junction of Main and Huron Streets, celebrates the history of the Great Lakes. It was listed in 1979.
Hart's Drug Store: This old drug store at Main Street and Liberty Avenue was listed in 1979.
Captain Charles Horton House: A historic home on Ferry Street, listed in 1979.
House at 624 Washington St.: A specific house on Washington Street, listed in 1979.
House on Huron Avenue: This house at the junction of Huron and Washington Streets was listed in 1979.
Kishman Fish Company Buildings: These buildings on Main Street were part of a fish company, showing Vermilion's fishing industry. They were listed in 1979.
Masonic Temple Building: This building on Main Street was home to the Masons, a fraternal organization. It was listed in 1979.
Captain Meyers House: Another captain's house, at Ohio and Perry Streets, listed in 1979.
Captain Minch House: A historic home on Grand Street, listed in 1979.
Old Funeral Parlor: This building on Liberty Street was once a funeral parlor, listed in 1979.
Old Harbour Store: An old store on Liberty Avenue, listed in 1979.
Old Interurban Station: This station at Liberty Avenue and Exchange Street was where electric trains (interurbans) used to stop. It was listed in 1979.
Old Jib's Corner: A historic corner building at Liberty Avenue and Perry Street, listed in 1979.
Old Mill: This old mill building at Exchange and Mill Streets was listed in 1979.
Old Nickel Plate Railroad Depot: This train station building was listed in 1979.
Old Pelton Hotel: An old hotel on Liberty Avenue, listed in 1979.
Old Union School Building: This former school building on South and Mill Streets was listed in 1979.
Old Vermilion Banking Company Building: This old bank building on Liberty Avenue was listed in 1979.
Old Vermilion Mill: Another historic mill building on Douglas Street, listed in 1979.
Pelton House: A historic house on South Street, listed in 1979.
Captain Rae House: A captain's house on Decatur Street, listed in 1979.
Sail Loft: This building on Main Street was where sails for ships were made or repaired. It was listed in 1979.
St. Mary Parish Hall: This church hall on Exchange Street was listed in 1979.
Stagecoach Inn: This old inn on Huron Street was a stop for stagecoaches long ago. It was listed in 1979.
Steamboat Hotel: This hotel on Main Street was likely a popular spot for travelers arriving by steamboat. It was listed in 1979.
Vermilion Town Hall: The town hall building on Main Street was listed in 1974.
Captain Henry Walper House: A captain's house on South Street, listed in 1979.
Captain Young House: Another captain's house, at Decatur and Ohio Streets, listed in 1979.

Kelleys Island's Unique History

Kelleys Island is an island in Lake Erie with its own special history, including ancient carvings.

Louis Beatty House: A historic house on South Shore Drive, listed in 1984.
Inscription Rock: This is a very old rock on Kelleys Island with carvings (petroglyphs) made by Native Americans long ago. It's a significant archaeological site and was listed in 1973.
Kelleys Island South Shore District: This historic district covers the southern side of Kelleys Island, including Water Street. It was listed in 1975, and later, the entire island was recognized as a historic district in 1988.

Florence Township's Landmarks

Florence Township also has several historic properties.

Cyrus Butler House: Located on Edison Highway in Birmingham, this house was listed in 1976.
Dean Road Bridge: This bridge west of South Amherst crosses the Vermilion River. It's historic and extends into Lorain County. It was listed in 1978.
Florence Corners School: This old school building on State Route 113 in Florence was listed in 1975.
Starr-Truscott House: Located on State Route 133 in Birmingham, this house was listed in 1978.

Other Notable Sites

Erie County has other important historic places scattered throughout its townships.

Christ Episcopal Church: This church in Huron on Park and Ohio Streets was listed in 1975.
Huron School: Located on Ohio Street in Huron, this school building was listed in 2011. It is now McCormick Middle School.
Erie County Infirmary: This building south of Sandusky on Columbus Road was once a place for the sick or poor. It was listed in 1975.
Oakland Cemetery Chapel and Superintendent's House and Office: These buildings are part of Oakland Cemetery south of Sandusky. They were listed in 1983.
Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home: This important site southeast of Sandusky was a home for veterans. It was listed in 1976.
Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility: This is Erie County's second National Historic Landmark! Located at the Lewis Research Center, Plum Brook Station, it's a place where scientists tested engines for spacecraft. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
The Stone House: This unique stone house is located northeast of Berlin Heights in Berlin Township. It was listed in 2010.

These historic places help us understand the past of Erie County, from its early settlers and inventors to its maritime industries and even space exploration!

Images for kids

The Abbott-Page House near Milan.
The Ebenezer Andrews House in Milan.
The historic Barber Shop in Vermilion.
The Baxtine House in Vermilion.
Captain Bradley's Second House in Vermilion.
Captain Alva Bradley House in Vermilion.
The old Cargo Warehouse in Vermilion.
Christ Episcopal Church in Huron.
The Dean Road Bridge.
The John Denzel House in Vermilion.
The Thomas Alva Edison Birthplace in Milan.
Englebry's Dry Goods store in Vermilion.
Dr. Englebry's Office in Vermilion.
The Erie County Bank Building in Vermilion.
The Erie County Infirmary building.
The Evangelical and Reformed Church in Vermilion.
First Baptist Church in Vermilion.
Florence Corners School.
Captain Gilchrist House in Vermilion.
Captain Gilchrist, Sr., House in Vermilion.
The Great Lakes Historical Society Marine Museum in Vermilion.
Hart's Drug Store in Vermilion.
Captain Charles Horton House in Vermilion.
House at 624 Washington Street in Vermilion.
House on Huron Avenue in Vermilion.
Huron School (now McCormick Middle School).
Inscription Rock on Kelleys Island.
The Jenkins-Perry House in Milan.
Kelleys Island, part of a historic district.
Kishman Fish Company Buildings in Vermilion.
The J.C. Lockwood House in Milan.
The Masonic Temple Building in Vermilion.
Captain Meyers House in Vermilion.
A house in the Milan Historic District.
Captain Minch House in Vermilion.
A house in the Mitchell Historic District in Milan.
Oakland Cemetery Chapel.
Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home.
The Old Funeral Parlor in Vermilion.
The Old Harbour Store in Vermilion.
The Old Interurban Station in Vermilion.
Old Jib's Corner in Vermilion.
The Old Mill in Vermilion.
The Old Nickel Plate Railroad Depot in Vermilion.
The Old Pelton Hotel in Vermilion.
The Old Union School Building in Vermilion.
The Old Vermilion Banking Company Building in Vermilion.
The Old Vermilion Mill in Vermilion.
The Pelton House in Vermilion.
Captain Rae House in Vermilion.
The Sail Loft in Vermilion.
St. Mary Parish Hall in Vermilion.
The Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility.
The Stagecoach Inn in Vermilion.
The Starr-Truscott House.
The Steamboat Hotel in Vermilion.
The Stone House.
Vermilion Town Hall.
Captain Henry Walper House in Vermilion.
Captain Young House in Vermilion.

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National Register of Historic Places listings in Erie County, Ohio Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.