Adams Street Double House
Also known as: J. Francine,Grabski,House
Why it's listed
Located at 106-108 East Adams Street in the center of Sandusky, this brick double house dates to about the 1840s. Each half has three bays, with two doorways in the middle of the facade. The two stories sit above a high basement, and a wooden stoop with symmetrical flights of steps leads to the main entrances. Stone lintels and sills frame the openings, the eaves cornice is dentilled, and the end walls have stepped parapets. The house blends late Federal and Greek Revival elements, while the stoop appears to come from a later Italianate style. It was built on land acquired in 1838 by Eleutheros Cooke, a lawyer, state representative and congressman who was among Sandusky's most prominent citizens. Title stayed in his name until 1866. It was recognized mainly as a rare example of double row house construction in the central city. The interior is in fair condition, and its original Greek Revival woodwork survives intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a rare example of a double row house in central Sandusky. It shows the transition from late Federal vernacular to Greek Revival architecture. Its link to Eleutheros Cooke, a prominent early citizen who held the land, adds historical value.
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 75001384, listed October 10, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 106-108 E. Adams St., Sandusky |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | October 10, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001384 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1840's |
| Architectural style | Late Federal-Greek Revival transitional |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Interior condition described as fair, with original Greek Revival woodwork intact and a good restoration possible. The form checks both occupied and unoccupied status and lists private residence as the present use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.45364, -82.70979 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 75001384.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4680408
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.