Bagby-Hossler House
Also known as: Hossler,Harold K.,House
Why it's listed
Set on a wooded three-acre lot above the Sandusky River in Tiffin, this brick house was built in 1862 for Truman H. Bagby, a lawyer, probate judge and later county commissioner who also raised horses on the property. Its most distinctive feature is the set of four French doors on the front facade, glazed with molded glass that curves outward in both directions. Local tradition says Bagby specified the glass to keep passersby from seeing into the house. The form describes the doors as believed unique in Ohio and links them to the glass industry of northwest Ohio. In 1930 contractor Arthur L. Hossler bought the neglected house and spent two years restoring it. He added a garage, a stone patio, a pond and other landscape features. Hossler built churches, schools and theatres, and his firm remains active in the county. The house is recognized for its association with both men and for its unusual architectural detail.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites Criteria B and C. It ties the house to Truman Bagby, a lawyer, probate judge, county commissioner and "gentleman farmer", and to Arthur L. Hossler, Sr., a major Tiffin building contractor. It also stresses the four sets of French doors with bent or "domed" glass, believed to be unique in Ohio.
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 86001562, listed July 10, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 530 Sycamore St., Tiffin |
|---|---|
| County | Seneca County |
| Listed | July 10, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001562 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates 1862, 1932) |
| Architect / builder | Arthur L. Hossler (1930 remodeling) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence; condition listed as excellent, with the interior described as in near mint condition. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 41.09743, -83.18727 (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 86001562.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4841493
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.