Gibson House
Why it's listed
Standing at the northwest end of Jackson's central business district, on the corner of Main and Portsmouth Streets, this three-story stuccoed masonry building began around 1816 as a two-story brick structure with Federal influences. Daniel Hoffman ran a general store there and later a hotel, and the site housed the county's first recorded licensed business. In 1883 the attic was expanded into a full third floor and the building grew to eight bays, taking on the look of an Italianate commercial block. Levi Gibson had begun consolidating the property in 1863, and by 1897 it was described as a first class hotel. It is the only 19th century hotel remaining in Jackson, where salt, iron and coal once supported four hotels. Inside, a 1930s Art Deco back bar of glass, mirrors, ceramic tile and chrome survives. The hotel's fortunes declined alongside the local economy, and its history is closely tied to the city's commercial growth.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criterion A for its role in Jackson's commercial development and under Criterion C as an example of the shift from early 19th century commercial architecture to a late 19th century commercial block. It is the only 19th century hotel left in a town that once supported four. It also has ties to the Hoffman family's business, political and social activity, and to an Art Deco bar.
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 85003045, listed December 5, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 187 Main St., Jackson |
|---|---|
| County | Jackson County |
| Listed | December 5, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85003045 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 and 1900-1930s (specific date 1883) |
| Architectural style | Federal-influenced original building, transformed in 1883 into an Italianate-looking commercial block; Art Deco bar |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Politics/Government, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in good condition and altered, with work in progress; the interior was being repaired and repainted as finances allowed. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.05283, -82.63801 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 85003045.
- 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.