Secor Hotel
Why it's listed
Rising ten stories on Jefferson Avenue in Toledo, this brick hotel with stone facing was designed by local architect George S. Mills and opened in 1908. Its frame is reinforced concrete, making it an early example of that construction. The seven-bay main facade has a segmental arched entry, carved stone lion heads, a balcony on massive stone brackets, and a heavy bracketed cornice with a band of small lion heads. The hotel originally offered 400 rooms, 300 with private baths, along with dining rooms, billiard rooms and convention space. In 1915 a local newspaper called it Toledo's leading hotel, and promoters compared it with the finest hotels in large cities. Cleveland architects Walker and Weeks supervised a 1934 renovation that changed the lobby, tap room, coffee shop and ballroom, though the exterior stayed nearly the same. The hotel is valued as a symbol of early twentieth century Toledo and as a work of Mills.
Significance in brief: Its 1908 opening marked the start of the modern era in Toledo's hotel history, and in 1915 a local newspaper called it "Toledo's leading hotel." Local promoters used it as a symbol of the city's progress. It is also considered an outstanding example of early twentieth century Toledo architecture and an early reinforced concrete building.
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 76001475, listed April 30, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 413--423 Jefferson Ave., Toledo |
|---|---|
| County | Lucas County |
| Listed | April 30, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001475 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1908 |
| Architect / builder | George S. Mills |
| Architectural style | Second Renaissance Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in excellent condition, in use as a hotel; interior remodeled in 1934 while the exterior remains nearly unchanged. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Toledo Central Business Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.65028, -83.53695 (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 76001475.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138542444
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.