Bradley's, Capt., Second House
Why it's listed
Captain Bradley's Second House is a two-story, wood-frame residence at the corner of Decatur and Ohio streets in Vermilion, Ohio. Built in the 1870s in the Stick Style, it has a stone foundation, a hip roof with asphalt shingles, ornamented porches and a projecting bay window. Flush board siding covers the eastern portion, while clapboard covers the western wing, which suggests that wing was added later. A large barn stands directly north of the house on a sizable lot with many shade trees. The house is tied to Captain Alva Bradley, who attended Oberlin College, entered the shipping business young and built a sizable fortune. His business was centered in Cleveland, but he lived in Vermilion, where his earlier house also still stands. The property was recognized as an important link to Vermilion's maritime history. It remains a residence, though the survey noted that it was not being well maintained.
Significance in brief: The house was the second home of Captain Alva Bradley, a wealthy shipping businessman who ran his business from Cleveland but lived in Vermilion. The nomination describes it as an important link to Vermilion's maritime history. It is also noted as an unusual house with distinctive wood ornament.
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 79003946, listed November 14, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 753 Decatur St., Vermilion |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | November 14, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003946 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1870's |
| Architectural style | Stick Style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is rated fair inside and out, and the form says the house is not being well maintained. It is still used as a residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.42009, -82.36954 (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 79003946.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137784346
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.