Sutter, Johann Agust, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1871 on East Main Street in Lititz, this two and one-half story gable-roof brick house uses common bond brickwork, with a large cornice, fascia board with brackets, and two-over-two windows with hood-type heads. Johann Agust Sutter had it built as his home during his last years, and he lived there until his death in 1880. Sutter had settled California, founding Nueva Helvetia on the American River in 1839, and his land was the site of the 1848 discovery of gold that started the California Gold Rush. The house is regarded as the largest Victorian home on its street and as a clear marker of how Lititz moved from simple 18th-century Moravian buildings to more elaborate styles. Its 1930s alterations, including a storefront on the first floor and the interior gutting, were addressed by a restoration of the exterior and original features. The nomination treats it as a rare surviving link to Sutter in the town.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the few remaining sites associated with Johann Agust Sutter, the early explorer and settler of California, and that it illustrates the growth of Lititz and the shift from 18th-century Moravian styling to Victorian architecture. It is described as the largest Victorian home on its street and as the stately residence of Sutter in his last years.
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 82003795, listed April 20, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 17-19 E. Main St., Lititz |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | April 20, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003795 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1871-1880 |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recently restored exterior and interior; rear additions include a two-story brick addition and a concrete block addition with a drive-in bank attached. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Within district | Lititz Moravian Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.15736, -76.30629 (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 82003795.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15229637
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.