1847 Ohio jail stayed with one family for over 100 years; now under offer
A historic 1847 jail in Ohio, which remained in the same family for over a century, is currently under contract for sale. The property transitioned from a civic lockup to a multi-unit rental and finally into a single-family residence.
Why it matters
The story highlights the adaptive reuse of historic civic architecture and the preservation of local family history.
A former county jail in Ohio has taken on a very different life after spending more than a century in one family. Built in 1847 in Perrysburg, the historic brick building once housed inmates but was later converted into apartments and eventually became a single-family residence. Six original jail cells still remain inside the 2,960-square-foot property, with several now serving everyday household purposes such as storage, closets and a pantry. Listed for $400,000, the unusual home is currently under contract with a contingent offer. A Realtor.com report featuring an interview with listing agent Caroline Hoffmann, whose family owned the property for generations, details how the former jail evolved from a civic building into a distinctive family home.From county lockup to residential propertyThe building was constructed in 1847 and originally operated as a county lockup until 1870.
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