Hancock and Dow Building
Why it's listed
Standing at 21 East Fourth Street in Mansfield, this three-story brick commercial building was completed in 1887 and is notable for its elaborate sandstone facade. Rough-faced stone on the upper floors is worked into segmental arches, voussoirs, belt courses, scrolls and brackets, topped by a raised central gable carved with the words "Hancock and Dow, 1887." The building was constructed by Robert G. Hancock and William Dow, partners from 1873 to 1908 and regarded as Mansfield's leading builders, best known for stonework. It is the only known building carrying their name, though they never occupied it. Ground-floor storefronts held shops, with offices and an Elks Hall above, and by 1914 a dry goods store and residential hotel use had followed. Inside, wide stairways, wood moldings and slate mantels survive. The building was listed for its architecture and its tie to this firm.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant under Criterion C for its architectural quality and its close link to Hancock and Dow, Mansfield's leading local building firm. It is the only known building bearing the firm's name and shows its stone-cutting craftsmanship. It is also described as an excellent late 19th century commercial building with one of the most distinctive sandstone facades in downtown Mansfield.
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 86002864, listed February 26, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 21 E. Fourth St., Mansfield |
|---|---|
| County | Richland County |
| Listed | February 26, 1987 |
| Reference number | 86002864 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Robert G. Hancock and William Dow |
| Architectural style | Eclectic Romanesque Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in good condition but altered; the interior is largely intact but in need of rehabilitation, and storefront transoms are obscured by wood boarding. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Downtown Mansfield Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.76108, -82.51491 (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 86002864.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138663607
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.