Ohio State Arsenal
Why it's listed
Built in 1861 of brick on a stone foundation, the Ohio State Arsenal in Columbus was designed specifically for storing the state's arms. The rectangular building measures roughly one hundred by sixty feet and is marked by four octagonal towers with conical roofs, each containing a winding staircase. Arched, multi-paned windows, arcaded corbel tables and a plain cornice complete the Italianate styling. Inside, heavy weapons were kept on the first floor, while the second floor is an open, column-free space with fixtures for rifles and handguns. The site was once Ohio's first penitentiary, which later served as an arsenal and repair shop beginning in 1823 before being razed after a land ownership suit. Legislative acts of 1857, 1859 and 1860 led to construction, funded with $14,000 and kept affordable through extensive convict labor. An eagle and shield from the battleship Ohio is mounted on the wall. The state still staffs and maintains the building.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a good example of a specialized Italianate style building and one of the earliest arsenals still in use in Ohio. It was built on the site of Ohio's first penitentiary, which had served as an arsenal and arms repair shop from 1823. The arsenal is also described as a reminder of past and present defenses.
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 74001495, listed July 18, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 139 W. Main St., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | July 18, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001495 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (built 1861) |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and still manned and maintained by the state; the surrounding brick wall and cast iron fence are leaning and need attention. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 39.95539, -83.00305 (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 74001495.
- 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.