Stoffel, Henry, Blacksmith Shop
Why it's listed
Behind 321 East Market Street in Sandusky sits a one-story blacksmith shop dating to about 1853. Measuring roughly 30 by 33 feet, the rectangular building has crude rubble limestone walls, a gable roof covered in tar paper, and a brick chimney at the rear. Double wooden doors hang on wrought iron strap hinges, and a rough dormer lets light into the interior. Wooden decoration on the front was probably added in the first quarter of the 20th century, when the building became a garage. The original forge remains inside, though the floor is reputed to be in very poor condition. The shop matters as part of Sandusky's group of limestone buildings and as one of only two structures that can still be identified as blacksmith shops in a town that once had many. Blacksmiths shod horses and made and repaired ironwork for residents. The building is now vacant, with a high-rise and parking lot nearby.
Significance in brief: It is one of a collection of limestone buildings in Sandusky and one of only two buildings identifiable as blacksmith shops in a community that once had many. Blacksmiths kept horses shod and made and repaired ironwork for the 19th and early 20th century community.
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 82001443, listed October 20, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 321 E. Market St. (Rear), Sandusky |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | October 20, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001443 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant on the inventory; exterior condition good; the original forge remains, but the floor is reputed to be in very poor condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.45773, -82.70738 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 82001443.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.