Dayton, James, House, II
Why it's listed
Built around 1866, this two-and-a-half-story frame house at 417 West Main Street in Madison, Ohio, is a well-preserved example of Second Empire design. A mansard roof with a metal deck carries seven pedimented dormers, and a bracketed eaves cornice with dentils runs beneath it. Round-arched windows have heavy hood moldings, while rectangular windows have drip molds. An entrance balcony rests on brackets, and a railed platform marks the side entrance. The house sits on a sandstone foundation, is clad in flush siding, and has an ell-shaped plan. A frame carriage house is built into the sloping rear of the lot, which also has many trees and a creek. Local tradition holds that the house was paid for with mustering-out pay after the Civil War. It was listed because it is the only complete mansard Second Empire building in the village, and its elaborate detailing strengthens that distinction. It also reflects the second generation of the Dayton family in Madison.
Significance in brief: It is described as the only complete example of the mansard Second Empire style in the village of Madison. Its lavish architectural detail adds to that significance. It also represents the second generation of the Dayton family in Madison.
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 80003115, listed October 20, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 417 W. Main St., Madison |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County |
| Listed | October 20, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003115 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1866 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence; interior and exterior condition both listed as excellent. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.77016, -81.05661 (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 80003115.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138436150
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.