Nomination for Gast, Matthias, House and General Store

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NOV 1 4 1978 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM DEC 2 9 1978 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS AND/OR COMMON STREET & NUMBER 8601 Str Rt. 119 _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY, TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - VICINITY OF Mer 107CODE PRESENT USE X UNOCCUPIED - -_MUSEUM . _WORK IN PROGRESS X PRIVATE RESIDENCE PUBLIC ACQUISITION LIN PROCESS - YES: UNRESTRICTED -BEING CONSIDERED X NO OWNER OF PROPERTY Store - 8581 St. Rt.

119 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS WOBC Historic Preservation Office 039 BOTH CODE Mercer LOCATION DATE TITLE Tennyson Guyer CLASSIFICATION GOVERNMENT CATEGORY ACCESSIBLE OWNERSHIP HISTORIC 9/77 TRANSPORTATION Celina COUNTY RECEIVED SITE SCIENTIFIC STATE Main and Market Streets MILITARY COURTHOUSE. DISTRICT PARK STATUS XPRIVATE PUBLIC Ohio NAME AGRICULTURE XCOMMERCIAL Ohio Historic Inventory Martha Gast House and Gagel Hardware Storage Room _OBJECT Store - Gagel Hardware - EDUCATIONAL _OTHER: House - Martha Gast Maria Stein DATE ENTERED XBUILDING(S) - INDUSTRIAL - ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS - STRUCTURE PH 0l 8 7 600 _FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY LOCAL Matthias Gast House and General Store DESCRIPTION XORIGINAL SITE X GOOD _MOVED DATE_ DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

at the doors, windows and porches. A low rock-faced limestone foundation forms only one were built in the house, an unusual fluted, leafd mantel which was used as a home altar - roof and a 6' extension was added to its west end. The building is now used as a giftshop. CONDITION UNEXPOSED EXCELLENT UNALTERED The Matthias Gast house is an excellent example of vernacular architecture.The Co.When this company completes its building which is now under construction, it is the conceals the removal of the second front door. to its original use.

syimmetrically because a second doorway which led to the rooming house and possibly to has five evenly spaced 6/6 windows across the second story under a standing seam tin The kitchen is still in this rear portion with an open porch to the west and a latticed windows were replaced with siding and an off-center doorway was installed.A basement was roof with inside end chimneys.The matching windows on the first floor are not arranged narrow sides of the store which allowed light and interior shelving space remain. All of the space in the store and addition are now used for storage by the Gagel Hardware In the boomtown front of the second story was a single centrally placed window under a wish of the present owner of the brick house to purchase the general store and return it open porch to the east.The interior features an open stairway off a central hall.

angled recessed entrance.An architrave with dentils spanned the facade above the glass. CHECK ONE rooms are located on either side of the hall which extends from the front door into the each story with semi-circular fan windows at the gable ends. About 1870,a 26'x 40'addition was constructed to make the residence into a T-shape. had a store front with a large window under two smaller ones on each side of an obliquely the Mercer County Board of Equalization Records,1846-1880 that year with a tax value Board of Equalization 1846-1880 entry that specified'a store construction on Lot 5.It The one story living quarters was constructed around 19o0 at the north end of the store.

plain transom under a stone lintel that matches the lintels above the windows on all sides The frame summer kitchen which is l2' x l8' is thought to have been built when the - DETERIORATED 30'x 38'brick rectangular original section was built in 1852and was entered in house was constructed.It now is connected to the kitchen addition by an overhanging - RUINS _FAIR the general store has been bricked in. This door was located between the two windows kitchen addition. The floors, windows and woodwork are original. Although no fireplaces remodeled the building, some of the trim on the facade was removed or covered. The front put under the building where a cellar had been.

on the east side of the facade.The remaining front door is centrally placed with a wide frieze with decorated brackets and prominent cornice.When the Knights of St.John The general store is frame with a brick foundation.Two wooden steps once extended Small squares of glass on the long AREAS OF

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE - CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _ 1500-1599 * ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING XL EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) Brick house - 1852 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

on Lot 4 is an early home, store and hotel of one of the original settlers of the county auctioneer, and church warden for St. John's parish. This historic complex remains today as a link to the early history of the township and county, and as a excellent example of the simple "vernacular"architecture of this area of the state.i 1700-1799 1600-1699 1400-1499 INVENTION ART RELIGION ECONOMICS PERIOD COMMUNICATIONS LAW ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC BUILDER/ARCHITECT THEATER SIGNIFICANCE AGRICULTURE PREHISTORIC MILITARY SCULPTURE LITERATURE SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN store continued to serve the area until approximately 194l.The Gast family also INDUSTRY the founding family.All buildings were owned and constructed by the Matthias Gast St. Henry.

Matthias Gast was a county commissioner for six years, notary public, he platted lots for the West Addition in 1852.Gast bought five lots and built the There are four structures in this grouping and they are on adjoining lots in the family, although today only the house and summer kitchen remain in the Gast name. established a mercantile business in 1833 when he opened the first shoe store southern portion to the canal at Minster.

West Addition of the village of Maria Stein (population 350).The large brick house a farm one mile west of Maria Stein in 1846.Catholic immigrants from Germany were America.About 1832 he came to Minster, the first Catholic settlement in the area, established other mercantile centers in the neighboring towns of Celina, Chickasaw, and Matthias Gast was born in France in 1813,and at the age of 15,he emigrated to three bedroom gabled house which was constructed for housing later generations of when the building was made into a meeting room and dance hall.

_POLITICS/GOVERNMENT business in operation for over 1o0 years.Attached to the rear of the store is a and soon after came to Maria Stein six miles further west.He _PHILOSOPHY the house until the frame general store was constructed 1867 on Lot 5.This general - CONSERVATION X1800-1899 -SCIENCE - EDUCATION X1900- - MUSIC SPECIFIC DATES * COMMERCE wooden shoes in this wet land.Business boomed when the Miami-Erie Canal was opened brick house that same year.Apparently the general store merchandise was sold from enticed to settle in the newly opened farmland in Mercer County and parishes sprang When the Catholic Bishop John Baptist Purcell sold some of the farm at Maria Stein, up every few miles.Gast's store was along the pike that connected Mercer County's that dealt in leather goods although many of the early settlers were still wearing township and county.Adjoining it is a frame summer kitchen probably built at the in 1845 and the Catholic Society of the Most Precious Blood established its roots on same time.On Lot 5 and directly west is the frame general store that houseda General store - 1867

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Sutton, History of Van Wert and Mercer Counties, Griffing, Gordon and Co., Atlas of Mercer County, 1888. Interview with Ms. Martha Gast, 12/77, 3/78, 5/78. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY less than 1 acre UTM REFERENCES VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Mary Ann Brown, WOBC Historic Preservation Office STREET & NUMBER 419-586-2365, Ex.

53 CITY OR TOWN 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665).I criteria and proceduresset forth bythe National Park Service STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCUUDE IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER ATTEST GPO 892-453 COUNTY CODE DATE ORGANIZATION NORTHING STATE Celina TELEPHONE Ohio Western Ohio Branch Campus, Wright State University ZONE EASTING Record of Equalization,1846-1880;Tax Assessor's Platbooks,1853,1859,1910;ca.1900phot Lots 4 and 5 are located in the West Addition of the village of Maria Stein Hamburger, Atlas of Mercer County, 1900.

on State Route 119 on the north side.Each lot is roughly 50'x 130' 7600 State Route 703 Drees, Rev. Henry- "Historical Sketch of St. John's Parish," Nov. 1906 (Series) LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES May 15, ZONE Tax Dup1icates, 1860-1867; Re-Appraisal Cards,1926,1954; 1876 Map of Mercer County. hereby nominate thisproperty for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the LOCAL X MARIA STEIN P.O. Aug. Rutschilling F. Schlarman F. & A. Moller TAKEN FROM: IN TWP. 1888 MERCER Co. ATLAS NOV 1 4 1978 G. W. Rokinson Wines, DEC 2 9 1978 e and repaira Pure Drugs, Medicines, etc. J. I. A. BOSTWICK, School Teacher. BERNARD WILKE, Propr. of Hotel ERSON and General Store NORTH BURNEY done. RACE ARTIAGENNA master. Catholic Church.

ELM Schools Forsthafel Maria Stein, Mercer Ohio Matthias Gast House Hurd USINES MARION TWP. Scale 16 Rods per Inch Scale 16 Rods 9.18 c. 48 0 J. L. CONTI, Physician and Surgeon. Carpent II. Plagg REV.TH. WITTMER, Pastor "St.A ST JOHN'S IES. Working Number 11.14.78.4533 Photos - ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN BRANCH CHIEF DEC 2 9 1978 Federal Register Entry OTHER KEEPER HAER CONTROL Inventory ARCHEOLOGIST HISTORIAN Entered Property Send-back Maps Re-submit 2.6.79 12.28.78 REVIEW UNIT National Register Write-up United States Department of the Interior-Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service State DH. 12.29.78 TECHNICAL 12.39.78 Store, photog facing north Maria Stein, Mercer, Ohio summer kitchen, facing north Facade of house and west end of Matthias Gast House and General DEC 2 9 1978 WOBC Historic Pres. Office, Celina BEC 2 9 1978 PHOTO NO. 2 WOBC Historic Pres.

Office, Celina Matthias Gast House and General general store on next lot Store, photog. facing northwest Facade and east side of house, Maria stein, Mercer DEC 2 9 1978 PHOTO No. 3 Store, photog. facing northve st Mary Ann Brown, 3/78 WOBC Historic Pres. Office, Celina Matthias Gast House and General NOV 1 4 1978 Ohio Facade and east side of store Maria Stein, Mercer, DEC 2 9 1978 PHOTO NO. 4 Store, photog- facing northeast Photographer unknown, ca. 1900 NOV 1 4 1978 side Owned by Martha Gast Matthias Gast House and General Facade of general store and west Maria Stein, Mercer Ohio WOBC, No. 5, Photog. facing SW Matthias Gast House and Store Summer kitchen and portion of small house at store's rear WOBC, No. 6, Photog.

facing SW and Store Maria Stein, Mercer, Small house at rear of general DEC 2 9 NOV 141978> UNITED STATES NEW BREMEN QUADRANGLE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS STATE OF OHIO 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) Cast, Matthlas, House and General Store Honorable Howard M. Metzenbaum Honorable Willis D. Gradison, Jr. Dr. Thomas H. Smith Columbus, Ohio 43211 Lorain STATE Cincinnati Lorain Lighthouse Director Name Lorain County Date Entered Hamilton County Mercer County Maria Stein Also Notified State Historic Preservation Officer For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343-6401.

Immaculate Conception Church,School and Rectory Honorable Donald Pease The Ohio Historical Society ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Interstate 7l at l7th Avenue Byers/bjr 1/23/79 OHTO DEG 8 8 1928 Athens County Timken, Henry H., Barn Bair, Jacob I., House Honorable John Glenn, Jr. Honorable Charles A. Vanik STATE Unionville Canton Name Ross County Mansfield Richland County Stark County Shelby County Location Date Entered Nelsonville Mercer County Lake County Unionville District School Sidney Waterworks and Electric Light Building Honorable John M. Ashbrook Honorable Tennyson Guyer Honorable Ralph Regula Canton vicinity Also Notified Mountain House Cuyahoga County Chagrin Falls Honorable William H. Harsha Honorable Clarence Miller Chillicothe Honorable John W. Stanton For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343-6401.

Sidney Mendon Town Hall Stuart'g Opera House ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Mendon Chagrin Falls Triangle Park Connercial District - county code Gast, Matthias, House and General Store city / town -COUNTY OH 119 SOURCE of NOMINATION - deteriorated Daltered Oruins Omoved 2C NOT INTACT - O Ogood Dunexposed Oreconstructed - Unknown SC UNKNOWN-6 Ounexcavated ZO NOT APPLICABLE-7 X No Access 1 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 -RECREATION -28 CLAIMS: explain - POLITICS / GOVT." 21 CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 - COMMERCE-6 - LAW - 16 - SETTLEMENT-29 CARCHEOLOGY - historic-1 -EXPLORATION - 12 - LITERATURE - 17 - SCIENCE- 23 'oldest' O - AGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION- 8 - HEALTH-27 C MILITARY - 18 - ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS-9 C INDUSTRY- 13 - MUSIC - 19 - SOCIAL / CULTURAL - 30 'only' D C ART-5 - EDUCATION-10 C INVENTION -14 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 - TRANSPORTATION - 25 *functions @dates of initial construction: *arohitectural style(s): )master builder: landscape architect / garden designer: I interior decorator: Abuilder/contractor: NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP Ireviewers initials.

_date. IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER& PUT ON REVERSE 107 CONDITION Mercer ASSOCIATION STATE INSTITUTIONAL: PERSONAL: artisan: ADMINISTRATOR FEDERAL CURRENTLY: EVENTS: ENTERTAINMENT-26 artist: historic events: Hardware Storage Room WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: Lake Central Maria Stein SUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 Dexcellent ENGINEERING -11 major.alterations: URBAN PLANWING-31 SAVED? YES Coriginal site of entry: C RELIGION- 22 - COMMUNICATIONS-7 @engineer: © EXISTING GROUP ETHNIC UNKNOWN-5 Cunknown NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET vicinity of NAMES give role & date Mfeatures: GNPS REGION: YES.#