Constructed in 1874, the Ausenbaugh–McElhenny House was originally home to one of the first men of Wayne Township, Joseph J. McElhenny, whose local prominence was demonstrated by his election to the office of justice of the peace.

The house is one of the area's premier examples of 1870s architecture, due primarily to its Gothic Revival elements both on the exterior and the interior.

Aside from the single-story extension, the house is a two-story building with walls that rise to gables.

Both rounded and rectangular windows pierce the walls, while the porch-facing main entrance assumes the latter shape.

[3] Inside, the design is simple but not ostentatious, its styling concentrating on the use of walnut-wood trim.