Crawfis Institute
Also known as: Crawfis Grange Hall
Why it's listed
Crawfis Institute is a two-story Italianate schoolhouse completed in 1889 on a secluded hilltop in Berne Township, about five miles southeast of Lancaster, Ohio. Built of brick on an ashlar stone foundation, it has a Greek cross plan, a slate hip roof and a square cupola with a steep pyramidal roof. Segmental arched windows with brick hoodmoulds and bays set in recesses of corbelled brickwork and brick piers give the exterior a simple, dignified look. Inside, the woodwork, wainscoting, slate blackboards and staircase remain intact. The building is named for John Crawfis, who donated the land and the school. Over time it served as an elementary school, a high school and a normal school for training teachers, which gave it special meaning for people in Lancaster and Berne Township. It closed as a school in 1941, and the Crawfis Grange bought it in 1946 and continues to maintain and use it as a meeting hall.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an excellent, well-preserved example of a late 19th century schoolhouse, virtually unaltered since 1889 and one of the most significant historic buildings in Berne Township. It also holds local importance because it served at different times as an elementary school, high school and teacher normal training school.
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 79001833, listed November 29, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Crawfis and Old Sugar Grove Rds, Sugar Grove |
|---|---|
| County | Fairfield County |
| Listed | November 29, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001833 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1889 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Unaltered and occupied; closed as a school in 1941, bought by the Crawfis Grange in 1946, which still maintains and uses it as a meeting hall. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 39.67915, -82.55780 (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 79001833.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137803073
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.