Steamboat Hotel
Also known as: Wells Inn
Why it's listed
Standing at the southwest corner of Main and Huron streets in Vermilion, this two-story wood-frame building began as a hotel in 1838 and was expanded in 1865. Known by several names, including the Wells Inn, it served travelers arriving by Lake Erie. The Greek Revival design shows good proportions, plain and massive detailing, and broad, powerful eaves. The entranceway is unusual and may be a later addition, as is the east porch. The T-shaped building has a stone foundation, a gable roof with asphalt shingles, and wood ornament. It is now a residence on a large lot with mature shade trees and shrubbery. It sits opposite the Great Lakes Marine Museum. Township trustees and the school board once met here. It is considered one of the town's finest Greek Revival buildings and an important reminder of how lake transportation shaped Vermilion.
Significance in brief: It is described as one of Vermilion's finest Greek Revival buildings. As the Wells Inn, it catered to lake traffic and is an important tie to Lake Erie transportation and its impact on Vermilion. Township trustees and the school board also once met there.
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 79003947, listed November 14, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 532 Main St., Vermilion |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | November 14, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003947 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a residence; the grounds are described as well maintained with large shade trees and shrubbery. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.42373, -82.36634 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 79003947.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137784353
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.