Linneman Building
Also known as: Bindels Furniture
Why it's listed
Built around 1899 at 210-212 S. Main Street in Lima, this two-story commercial building is faced in yellow brick with limestone trim and has a flat roof and brick load-bearing walls. It adjoins the Dorsey Building. Its main feature is Sullivanesque stone carving, with entwined beasts and sometimes faces, and a carved parapet that rises at the center with beasts and intertwined tails. A block bearing the name Linneman is set among ornate blocks. The second story has double semicircular-topped window openings, now fitted with aluminum sash, and the first floor has been altered. Carved capitals remain on the center pilasters. A later occupant reported that it was the first building in Lima with steel cross beams. J. C. Linneman, apparently the first owner, began in the hotel business and helped develop the city water works. The building was listed for its carving, which survives largely intact and is regarded as among the most ornate in the city.
Significance in brief: It is considered significant, together with the neighboring Dorsey Building, for its fine Sullivanesque stone carving, described as among the most ornately carved stone details in the city. The carving survives despite alterations to the first floor and windows. It is also said to be the first building in Lima with steel cross beams.
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 82001867, listed October 7, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 210-212 S. Main St., Lima |
|---|---|
| County | Allen County |
| Listed | October 7, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001867 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1899 |
| Architectural style | Eclectic with Sullivanesque details |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a furniture and appliance store; interior and exterior condition recorded as good, with first floor and window alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.73758, -84.10541 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 82001867.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6554612
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.