Fountain Hotel, The
Also known as: The Fort Barbee Hotel; Aug-973-8
Why it's listed
Built in 1889 on Spring Street in downtown St. Marys, this three-story brick hotel took its name from a large artesian well, "The Fountain," that lies beneath it. Three local partners each put up $10,000 to build it as one of the finest hotels in northwestern Ohio, with electric call bells, hot and cold baths and gas lighting. A fountain in the dining room was fed from the basement spring, which also supplied water to the whole building. A twelve-room addition followed in 1895, and kitchen, electricity and central heating were added in 1903. In 1923 it was renamed the Hotel Fort Barbee, and it operated as a hotel until 1996. Its Commercial Queen Anne design features engaged piers with cast iron rosettes, segmental-arched windows and corbelled rooflines. The building is recognized for its link to the oil and gas boom that transformed St. Marys' commerce and industry after 1886.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hotel is significant under Criterion A for commerce. It reflects St. Marys' commercial and industrial boom after oil and gas were discovered in 1886. Few surviving buildings show the power of that boom as well as this one.
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 97001564, listed December 19, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 100-110 W. Spring St., St. Marys |
|---|---|
| County | Auglaize County |
| Listed | December 19, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97001564 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1889-1947 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Queen Anne (Commercial Queen Anne) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operated as a hotel until 1996; the form lists current function as work in progress. Storefronts have been altered, but the west commercial space retains much original interior fabric. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 40.54293, -84.38874 (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 97001564.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5474735
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.