Port Jefferson School
Also known as: Port Jefferson High School
Why it's listed
Port Jefferson School is a two-story brick building at Wall and Spring Streets, completed in 1877 in the Victorian Gothic style. Its projecting entrance features a three-tiered brick arch, a stone-capped peak with a carved quatrefoil, a keystone inscribed with the date, and a pointed transom with tracery. Flanking mock bell towers and lancet windows add to the facade. Inside, a central hall separates large classrooms on each floor. A one-story rear addition from 1956 provides a multipurpose room. The building served the village as a high school and later an elementary school for 104 years, until 1981. It is considered the finest remaining Victorian Gothic school in this part of western Ohio and the oldest known high school building in the area, reflecting the period when secondary education reached rural communities. Its design resembles the Monumental Building in Sidney, built at the same time. After the school closed, the village received the building for municipal offices and public meetings.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is architecturally significant as the finest remaining Victorian Gothic school in this part of western Ohio. It is also historically significant as the oldest known high school building in the region, marking the era when secondary education became a reality in rural communities.
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 82003641, listed June 2, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Wall and Spring Sts., Port Jefferson |
|---|---|
| County | Shelby County |
| Listed | June 2, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003641 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Victorian Gothic |
| Areas of significance | Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a school for 104 years until spring 1981, then deeded to the village; described as in good condition and planned for use as village offices and meeting rooms. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.32996, -84.09325 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 82003641.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7230721
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.