Old Log Post Office
Why it's listed
This small log building in Franklin, Ohio, dates to about 1802 and is the oldest known structure in the town. It measures roughly 18 by 23 feet, rises two stories, and has large, uniform logs joined by steeple notching, a method common in the region before 1825. A stone chimney stands outside the building, and the entrance is at the center of the front. Local tradition identifies it as the store and post office of J. N. C. Schenck, who opened the first store in Franklin in 1802 and became postmaster in 1805, although no documents confirm this. The store served as the main trading spot between Dayton and Cincinnati. Facing demolition for an apartment complex, the cabin was moved in December 1974 to a public park beside the Great Miami River, only a block or so from its first site. Later additions were removed, and restoration was planned. Residents consider it the most important building in their town.
Significance in brief: It is the oldest known surviving building in Franklin and is believed to be the town's first post office and the J. N. C. Schenck store, which was the main trading post between Dayton and Cincinnati. No documents confirm the Schenck link, but local tradition holds it. Residents regard it as their most important structure.
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 76001541, listed March 17, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5th and River Sts., Franklin |
|---|---|
| County | Warren County |
| Listed | March 17, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001541 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Vernacular (log architecture) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved in December 1974 to save it from an apartment development; restoration was in progress and the form lists it as unoccupied. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Franklin Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.55961, -84.30666 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 76001541.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5491765
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.