Follett-Moss-Moss Residences
Why it's listed
Three stone houses on the east side of Wayne Street in Sandusky, Ohio, between Adams and Jefferson Streets, illustrate how nineteenth-century architectural styles were rendered in local stone. The northernmost, built in 1835-1837 for publisher and banker Oran Follett, is a Greek Revival mansion of golden sandstone with a double curved stair and Doric porch. The middle house, an Italianate design in rusticated gray limestone, was probably built around 1872 for banker and railroad president Jay Osborne Moss. The third, a Gothic Revival limestone house with delicate bargeboard tracery, was built by his father, Augustus H. Moss, who opened a bank in 1850. Later changes include the removal of Follett's east wing about 1895 and the addition of a porch and extended living room after 1898. The group is notable for its similar materials, size and mass, and for presenting three major styles side by side. Follett's house also served as headquarters of the Sanitary Commission during the Civil War.
Significance in brief: Together the houses show the Greek, Gothic and Italianate styles in stone, a characteristic part of Sandusky's nineteenth-century appearance. The Follett House is described as one of Ohio's first-rank Greek Revival mansions. The builders, Oran Follett, Augustus H. Moss and Jay O. Moss, were prominent in publishing, politics, banking and railroads.
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 74001471, listed December 31, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 404, 414, 428 Wayne St., Sandusky |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | December 31, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001471 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1835-1898 |
| Architect / builder | Oran Follett (Follett House); Augustus H. Moss (Gothic Revival house); Jay Osborne Moss (Italianate house) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, High Victorian Italianate, and Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition rated excellent and altered; occupied, with uses including private residence, educational and museum. |
| Acreage | 1.4 |
| Coordinates | 41.45376, -82.70776 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 74001471.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q106342451
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.