Canal Warehouse
Also known as: Veterans of Foreign Wars Building
Why it's listed
Built around 1830 during the Ohio-Erie Canal era, this three-story warehouse sits at the corner of Main and Mulberry Streets in the center of Chillicothe. Three gabled, overhung dormers on each side of the roof hold windows that connect to doors used to load goods from the upper floor into canal boats. Each side has fourteen small-paned windows on every floor, preserved because they were boarded up for years. The front has two recessed entries and large display windows. Inside, twelve-inch square beams rest on bracketed posts of the same size along the half-block depth, and a full basement lies below. An architectural historian from Cleveland ranked it among the finest canal warehouses. It was listed because it reflects a phase of American commerce and transportation that has nearly vanished from view. At the time, the owners planned demolition for parking, while a local antique car group hoped to turn it into a museum.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building clearly reflects a period of United States commerce and transportation now almost lost to public view. An architectural historian classed it as one of the finest examples of canal warehouses. It could serve as a visual link to the canal era if restored.
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 73001522, listed April 24, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Main and Mulberry Sts., Chillicothe |
|---|---|
| County | Ross County |
| Listed | April 24, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001522 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in fair condition and largely original, with windows boarded up for many years. The owners planned to demolish it for a parking lot unless matching funds for restoration were obtained. |
| Within district | Chillicothe Business District |
| Coordinates | 39.33424, -82.97870 (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 73001522.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5031036
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.