Horton, Capt. Charles, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1860, this two-story wood-frame house on Ferry Street in Vermilion, Ohio, is an early example of Gothic Revival design. A lancet window in the front gable, floor-length casement windows on the first floor and a steeply pitched gable roof carry the style. Later changes include shingle siding, which probably hides the gable lintels expected on a house of this type, and a front porch that appears to have been added afterward. The house rests on a stone foundation and has an asphalt-shingle roof. It was home to Captain Charles Horton, a lake captain who chose to settle in Vermilion, a city that sheltered many retired lake captains. It was listed as a rare example of a Gothic-styled residence in the community. The house sits in a residential neighborhood about a block from downtown, faces a small park called Hanover Square, and remains in residential use in good condition.
Significance in brief: The house was built for Captain Charles Horton, a lake captain who settled in Vermilion, a city that was home to many retired lake captains. It is described as a rare example of a Gothic-style residence in the community. Its lancet gable window, floor-length casement windows and steeply pitched roof mark it as early Gothic Revival.
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 79003926, listed November 14, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5564 Ferry St., Vermilion |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | November 14, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003926 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, both interior and exterior, and still used as a residence. Shingle siding and a later front porch have been added. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.42302, -82.36687 (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 79003926.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137783806
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.