Minch, Capt., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1857 at the northeast corner of Grand and Ohio streets in Vermilion, Ohio, this two-story wood-frame house with clapboard siding, a gable roof and a stone foundation reflects the late Greek Revival style. It has an entrance with sidelights and a well-defined cornice, while slightly pointed wood window surrounds show the Italianate influence that was becoming common at the time. The house has been remodeled, but much of its original fabric is still visible. It is one of Vermilion's few large Greek Revival houses and is considered an excellent example of the shift from Greek Revival to Italianate design. Its name comes from Captain Minch, who lived here and owned the ship "Western Reserve", which sank in Lake Erie, giving the property a link to the town's maritime past. It sits on a small lot with large shade trees and a carefully kept lawn, and it remains a residence.
Significance in brief: The inventory describes it as one of Vermilion's few large Greek Revival houses and an excellent example of the transition from Greek Revival to Italianate style. It also has links to the town's maritime history through Captain Minch, owner of the ship "Western Reserve", which sank in Lake Erie.
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 79003943, listed November 14, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 743 Grand St., Vermilion |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | November 14, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003943 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence; interior rated very good and exterior good. The house has been remodeled, but much original fabric remains visible. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.42012, -82.36602 (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 79003943.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137784282
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.