Phoenix Mills
Why it's listed
Phoenix Mills is a sandstone gristmill near Steuben in Huron County, Ohio, built in 1856. It rises three and a half stories, including the basement, and measures 36 by 44 feet, with walls about two and a half feet thick at the base. A five-by-two-foot name stone over the main entrance and loading platform bears the mill's name and date. Stone corbels and brackets support the eaves. The original roof was made of stone slabs laid like shingles, and it was replaced with asphalt sometime between 1940 and 1950. Barnett Roe built the present mill after an earlier frame mill, put up by Ezra Smith in 1835, burned; the new name refers to the mythical bird rising from ashes. Using stone throughout appears to have been a deliberate fireproofing choice. Power came first from an overshot water wheel, then a turbine, then a gasoline engine after 1900. It is the only remaining mill structure in Huron County, and it is described as vacant and in fair condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the mill has unusual construction features and is the only remaining mill structure in Huron County. Its stone walls, corbels, brackets and original stone roof reflect an effort to make the building fireproof. It is also seen as a monument to its individual builder, Barnett Roe.
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 75001440, listed May 28, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of Steuben on Mill Rd., Steuben |
|---|---|
| County | Huron County |
| Listed | May 28, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001440 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1856) |
| Architect / builder | Barnett Roe of Steuben (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture, Invention |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant, in fair condition and altered; the original stone roof was replaced with asphalt between 1940 and 1950, and the west frame addition and millrace are gone. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.09878, -82.66447 (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.
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 75001440.
- 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.