Gill-Luchsinger-Bahnsen House and Barn
Why it's listed
Built in 1876 on a roughly forty-acre farm, this house and horse barn at 426 E. 4th Street in Port Clinton were the first house built south of the railroad tracks, which had marked the town's southern edge. Joseph Gill built them; John Luchsinger bought the property in 1898, and the Luchsinger and Bahnsen families lived there into 1980. The cross-shaped frame house rises two and a half stories on a limestone foundation, with weatherboard siding, bracketed eaves, bracketed window surrounds and a cross-shaped cupola. Its details blend Greek Revival and Italianate styles, which the nomination reads as a somewhat late shift from classical to romantic taste. It is described as the best surviving local example of mid-level builder architecture, set apart by its deep setback and prominent lantern. The walnut-timbered barn, dated 1876 in its lantern gable, reflects the semi-rural setting the house once had. The property is now owned by the city.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an excellent example of conservative mid-level nineteenth century architecture, combining Greek Revival and Italianate details on a cruciform plan. It reflects a late transition from classical to romantic styles. The house and barn also mark an early link between village and country environments.
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 92000888, listed July 16, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 426 E. 4th St., Port Clinton |
|---|---|
| County | Ottawa County |
| Listed | July 16, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000888 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival; Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The property is described as currently owned by the city of Port Clinton. The house retains many original interior features, and the kitchen and pantry were recently remodeled. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.50881, -82.93423 (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 92000888.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138646623
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.