Cooke-Dorn House

Formerly the home of Eleutheros Cooke, Sandusky's first lawyer and a politician serving in the Ohio Legislature and U.S. Congress

Cooke-Dorn House

1415 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH, USA
Please Note: Due to a plumbing issue, there are currently no restroom facilities at the site. We apologize for the inconvenience.

July - August Hours
Wed-Fri • 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sat - Tues • Closed
Closed for major holidays

Beginning in September
Tours by appointment only. To schedule, please call 419-357-7473




Handicapped Accessibility:

Ohio History Connection strives to meet ADA requirements. However, historic structures and outdoor areas provide challenges that make it difficult to provide complete access to all visitors. Please call the site with specific questions and concerns.
Everyone - Free

Please Note: Due to a plumbing issue, there are currently no restroom facilities at the site. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Visit

Get a look at comfortable small-town life of the 1950s in the home of local industrialist Randolph Dorn and his wife, Estelle, built in 1844 for Eleutheros Cooke, father of Civil War financier Jay Cooke. Enjoy antique furniture, a beautifully-landscaped yard and exhibits on the history of the house. Average visit time: Allow 1+ hours

History

Sandusky’s first lawyer, Eleutheros Cooke was also a politician serving in the Ohio Legislature and U.S. Congress. He drew up the charter for the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad, and built other houses for the influx of settlers to the community. One of the founders of the Firelands Historical Society in Norwalk in 1857, Cooke helped preserve the early history of the area.

This historic house was purchased by Randolph and Estelle Dorn in 1951. Randolph was the son of John G. Dorn, a prosperous vintner. After extensive remodeling, the Dorns moved into the house in 1953 and the house now looks essentially as it did when the Dorns lived there. It features a large living room, spacious kitchen, bedrooms and a walk-through closet. It also features several interesting pieces of antique furniture from the nineteenth century.

The Cooke House is managed locally by The Old House Guild of Sandusky.

  • Audiences: K-5th Grade Students, 6-8th Grade Students, 9-12th Grade Students, Higher Education Students, Educators, Families, Government, Specialists, Tourists, Community Groups, History Enthusiasts & Sports Fans
  • Historical Topics: Historic Preservation & Presidents & Politics
  • Regions: Northwest Ohio
  • Site Activities: Self-Guided
  • Museum & Site Type: Ohio History Connection Site

Upcoming Events and Cooke-Dorn House