Inselruhe
Also known as: Miller, Frank, House
Why it's listed
Inselruhe is a large frame summer house on South Bass Island, northeast of Put-in-Bay, Ohio. Built in 1875 for Toledo railroad magnate James B. Monroe, it was designed by James Young of Toledo and built by George E. Gascoyne. The 2-1/2 story building has board-and-batten siding, a three-story octagonal tower, wraparound porches with chamfered columns, carved brackets, and a flattened hip roof with wood cresting. Inside are ten rooms, a wine cellar and original woodwork, plus a gilt Chinese dado added in 1885. A 260-foot dock and boathouse, a laundry building now used as a guest cottage, and a nearby cottage complete the group. The property is cited as an outstanding example of steamboat Gothic design and as a typical summer retreat of wealthy Ohioans. Monroe's son-in-law, Rear Admiral John J. Hunker, who organized transport fleets during the Spanish-American War, later lived here and died at the house in 1916.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls Inselruhe an outstanding example of steamboat Gothic architecture in Ohio. The residence, laundry house and cottage are typical of summer homes built by wealthy Ohioans, and the setting is little changed from 1875. It is also noted as the home of John J. Hunker, a naval commander in the Spanish-American War.
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 76001506, listed December 12, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Put-in-Bay at jct. of Bayview Ave. and Chapman Rd. on South Bass Island, Put-in-Bay |
|---|---|
| County | Ottawa County |
| Listed | December 12, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001506 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1875 |
| Architect / builder | James Young (architect, of Toledo); George E. Gascoyne (builder) |
| Architectural style | Steamboat Gothic (also described as Italianate with Second Empire elements) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and still used as a summer home; the dock and boathouse have been restored. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 41.65702, -82.80956 (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.
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 76001506.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138646652
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.