Armory-Latisona Building
Also known as: Mihlbaugh Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1896 at 440 South Main Street in Lima, this two-story red brick building was constructed as the home of Company C, 2nd Infantry, Ohio National Guard. The company had earlier met in the court house assembly room, then the Cincinnati block and the Donze block, before getting its own building. The front is a triple brick arch with stone trim hoods, a moderate projecting cornice and corner pilasters. The side arches are slightly recessed so the center arch stands out. Corbel tables, a carved stone tympanum, pilaster capitals, dentils, stringcourses and a rough ashlar stone water table add detail. It is described as a very ornate early Victorian Romanesque armory. From 1916 to 1925 a cigar manufacturer, Wm. Tigner & Sons, occupied it, and it was then known as the LaTisona Building. Occupancy was sporadic from 1935 to 1965. The front interior has been remodeled for offices, and the rear remains open.
Significance in brief: The form describes it as a very ornate early Victorian Romanesque armory. A reviewer's note says its architectural significance is established and that it illustrates the Victorian Romanesque style adapted to an armory. Its history also reflects the military company that moved through several rented spaces before getting its own building.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82001348, listed October 7, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 440 S. Main St., Lima |
|---|---|
| County | Allen County |
| Listed | October 7, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001348 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Victorian Romanesque |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is listed as good inside and out. The front of the interior was remodeled for offices, and the back remains one open bay. The present use is given as a business building. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.73523, -84.10522 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82001348.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4793753
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.