Roadside Ohio: Bizzare Homes

Benson Ford Shiphouse, Put-in-Bay 
While Put-In-Bay is widely known as a summer vacation destination, it is also the home of the 1924 ore freighter, Benson Ford. The freighter transported ore for more than 50 years, and it is now permanently beached atop a 30-foot bluff on the western shore. The home was first owned by Frank Sullivan, who purchased the ship after it was decommissioned in 1981 and transformed the front deck of the four-level vessel into a home with six bedrooms. Bryan Kasper is the current owner and has kept the original decorations and furniture intact while adding a lounge in the basement of the 7,000 square foot ship. 1191 Ashburn Ave., Put-In-Bay 43456, 419/502-5101, shiponthebay.com

The Futuro House, Carlisle 
The city of Carlisle, nestled between Dayton and Cincinnati, is home to the out-of-this-world Futuro House. The style of home is the brainchild of Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. In 1965, Suuronen created designs for a ski chalet that would be lightweight as well as easy to heat and to transport. The design made its way to America in 1968 and appeared in the news almost immediately upon arrival. As a result, two dozen companies purchased units to be manufactured. Today, only an estimated 20 Futuro homes remain in the U.S., including this one in Carlisle. The 26-foot-wide, 14-foot-long prefabricated home is a private residence, but more information can be found on the Futuro House website.  9961 Central Ave., Carlisle 45005, thefuturohouse.co


Griswold House, Wadsworth 
For most of the year, 173 Duane Lane in Wadsworth is like any house in the neighborhood. After Thanksgiving has come and gone, however, this regular colonial turns into a blinding spectacle. You can almost hear Clark Griswold saying, “Drumroll, please,” as this wonder lights up the the holiday season for the town of Wadsworth. Instead of Griswold, Greg Osterland delivers that message to his family every year before lighting up the astounding 25,000 lights hung on every inch of their house. The Osterland's receive 1,000 visitors every season and raise around $2,500 in the process, which they donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Association and its annual Great Strides Walk. 173 Duane Ln., Wadsworth 44281, facebook.com/wadsworthgriswoldhouse


Mushroom House, Cincinnati 
A swirling, cedar-shingled, cone-shaped structure appears to be growing out of the ground at 3331 Erie Ave. in Cincinnati. The wacky Mushroom House looks like a home for the Smurfs but was the studio and creation of the late architect Terry Brown, who began the project in 1995. The design was experimental, as Brown wanted to show that buildings can be intimate and personal spaces at the same time. Now, passersby stop to look at the intriguing fairy-tale design and stand in awe, or amusement, at the feat of this magical building. 3331 Erie Ave., Cincinnati 45208

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More Roadside Ohio: Bizzare Homes | Food Finds | Gravesites, Memorials and Monuments | Larger Than Life | Man-Made Marvels | Unusual Museums and Objects | Wildlife & Natural Wonders