Lake Shore and Michigan Southern (LS&MS) Railroad Depot-Wauseon
Also known as: New York Central RR Depot; Wauseon Depot; Ful-247-10
Why it's listed
Built in 1896 by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, this one-story brick depot in Wauseon, Ohio, replaced an older wooden station that had grown too small. It measures about 66 by 26 feet and shows Romanesque Revival features: red pressed brick walls on a rusticated sandstone base, round-arched openings, and a hipped roof with broad flared eaves on large brackets. Inside, separate men's and women's waiting rooms flank the agent's office, with Georgia pine paneling, oak trim, maple floors and the original telegraph key. The depot handled passengers, freight and express goods, and agents relayed train orders. It served as the town's gateway to the west and a social gathering place. Road traffic and the Ohio Turnpike reduced its role, and it closed by 1970. It is recognized for its railroad transportation history and its well-preserved architecture, and a railroad club now uses it for displays.
Significance in brief: The depot is argued to be a good example of a midsize combination passenger and freight station serving a small rural Ohio community. It was an important regional transportation center and a social hub for the town and county. It is also a Romanesque Revival building with largely intact original interior woodwork.
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 93000151, listed March 11, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Depot St. S side, between Fulton and Brunell Sts., Wauseon |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | March 11, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93000151 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1896-1942 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Closed as a depot by 1970 and acquired by the City of Wauseon; vacant until 1975, when the county historical society began watching over it. A railroad club now displays model trains and memorabilia, and a rehabilitation plan is underway. |
| Acreage | 2.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.54743, -84.13693 (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 93000151.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138339467
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.