In mid-2021, Michelle Griffith saw something that literally stopped her in her tracks: a man putting a for-sale-by-owner sign in front of
The Gilmore Manor in downtown Sandusky.
The 1909 mansion – on West Washington Street between Fulton and Decatur streets – had sat vacant for years and “just left for ruin,” as she puts it.
“My husband – we have always driven by that house (and said), ‘Oh, my God, that house is beautiful,” she says. “So I reversed my vehicle.
“(The seller) took me through it, and I asked him what the asking price was. He told me, and I was like, ‘Sold! Draw up the contract – I want it.”
Since May, after putting thought, sweat and, of course, money into the home, Griffith and her husband, Frank, have been renting it out
via Airbnb.
It is the fourth property the Wellington couple has made into an Airbnb rental, she says during a recent phone interview.
“We solely focus on the downtown area of Sandusky because we love dealing with the city’s officials and inspectors – they are wonderful,” she says.
![]()
Courtesy of Michelle GriffithMichelle and Frank Griffith own The Gilmore Manor.Gilmore Manor was designed by renowned architect George Feick, whose work includes other structures in Sandusky and buildings on the Oberlin College campus.
“He actually built this for his daughter and son-in-law,” Griffith says, noting Feick made at least one unusual choice. “We wanted to maintain the integrity of the house, (but) it did not have a kitchen for some reason, so we added a kitchen.”
She also spent time scouring antique shops.
“There are so many Airbnbs in downtown Sandusky because it's a touristy area, so I wanted to differentiate (it) by doing a bit of a curated feel,” she says, adding that she desired that it feel historical but also cozy.
The Airbnb listing touts “French country” elegance once “you step through the grand wooden doors” and are “transported to a bygone era.” Expect an antique table with flowers, a gilded mirror, a foyer (and a secondary foyer), a vestibule with vintage umbrellas, etc.
“The living room is a cozy haven, featuring plush sofas and armchairs
upholstered in delicate floral fabrics,” the listing reads. “A large, vintage fireplace serves as the room's centerpiece, its mantle adorned with candlesticks and other charming decor. The inviting atmosphere is enhanced by the warm, creamy hues of the walls and rustic wooden beams stretching across the ceiling.”
A major selling point is the size, the manor boasting five bedrooms, a dining room with a table seating 16, two full baths – “each featuring three showers and a luxurious clawfoot tub” – a powder room and other spaces.
Oh, and that kitchen? It has two refrigerators, a large oven and a stocked pantry.
“It’s ample space,” Griffith says. “I am certified to host up to 24 people, but comfortably I say 16 to 18 people.
“I think guests are drawn to the uniqueness, the historic charm,” she adds. “They still like minor amenities like WiFi and (keyless entry) so it’s easy to get in.”
And people indeed have been coming in and out since May.
![]()
Courtesy of Michelle GriffithThe kitchen boasts two refrigerators, a large oven and a stocked pantry.“We were booked solid for the entire summer,” she says. “Most of my bookings were bachelorette parties, believe it or not, because (it’s close to the ferries to the Lake Erie Islands). A lot of bachelorette parties. A lot of family reunions.”
Parking should not be an issue for renting groups, with a lot big enough for so many cars that the Griffiths may convert some of the space to a pickleball court.
Despite all the work put into it, The Gilmore Manor is a work in progress.
“We’ve had to do everything in phases because it’s so expensive,” Griffith says. “We’re complete with Phase One, which was the interior. Now we’re working on Phase Two, which is the exterior, sprucing all of that up. And then Phase Three will be the attic – because the attic is so ginormous (that) we want to do something with that space. But, you know, we have to wait till we recoup some of the funds.”
During the warm months, staying at The Gilmore Manor will set a group back about $1,200 per night during the week and $1,500 on weekends.
During the colder – and slower – months, Griffith says, the plan is to offer the community some “creative experiences,” such as a needlepoint retreat and a book club retreat and marketing the home as a space for office holiday parties.
The Griffiths showed off the manor to members of the community in December, during which, she says, people couldn’t believe what they were doing with it. That’s nothing new for them.
“When we bought our first Airbnb six years ago, people thought we were absolutely crazy for investing in that area, and we were like, ‘No – we see a vision, we see (downtown’s) future. This place is growing.’ And we’re so glad we did.”