Nomination for William Tricker Inc. Historic District

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 10024-0018 (Oct. 1990) entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property William Tricker, Inc.® Historic District historic name Independence Nurseries Company, W. G. O'Brien, Inc. other names/site number 2. Location 7125 Tanglewood Drive street & number city or town _ U vicinity code As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination -request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Exmeets - does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant Dapt. Head Novembe 14,2000 In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria.

([ See continuation sheet for additional 4. National Park Service Certification L/ entered in the National Register. - See continuation sheet. - determined not eligible for the - removed from the National - other, (explain:) Ohio comments.) Date state Independence Register. Registration Form State/Federal Agency Certification National Register National Park Service State or Federal agency and bureau National Register of Historic Places 200l Ohio Historic Preservation Office -- OH SHPO Signature of commenting official/Title National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National.Register" Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions.

Place additional - not for publication Historic Places and meets theprocedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property I hereby certify that the property is: . 035 - zip code 44131 United States Department of the Interior William Tricker, Inc.® 5. Classification I building(s) - public-local XX district - public-State - public-Federal _ sites L object 6. Function or Use Commerce: speciality store Aquaculture: horticultural facility Landscape: natural feature 7.

Description Early 20th Century/Commercial Style concrete block, red brick, sandstone cypress with glass, wood Narrative Description other structure Current Functions roof Materials in the National Register foundation _sandstone, concrete block Total walls County and State Architectural Classification Number of Resources within Property Historic Functions (Check as many boxes as apply) (Enter categories from instructions) Noncontributing (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Number of contributing resources previously listed Name of related multiple property listing Ownership of Property Cuyahoga, Ohio Category of Property (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) (see attached continuation sheet) Name of Property Xprivate (Check only one box) Site National Park Service William Tricker, Inc.

Cuyahoga County, Ohio Section number - Narrative Description The proposed property which is currently occupied by William Tricker, Inc.® is approximately 3 acres and is located 8 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio in the City of Independence. It is located off State Route 21 (Brecksville Road) on Tanglewood Drive, a one way side road. Current condition of the property is virtually unchanged since 1928 when the final building was completed (compare photographs 7 and 6). The surrounding area of this property has a few historic buildings that are still in original condition. A home directly across from the nursery entrance was built in 1894 and remains in excellent original condition. It was is a commercial building formally used by Independence Nurseries that was built in 1900. At the west end of the property is a home built in 1925.

Aside from the mentioned homes, the remaining immediate area that surrounds the property has developed into residential homes. and site map building #11). It contains the store, office and laboratory. The concrete block building was completedin 1928 and was dedicated to Mr. William G. O'Brien who was the vice-president of William Tricker, Inc.® and inventor of the "pH test kit". Original steel windows (seen in photograph #11, circa 1930) are still functioning. A four inch concrete floor is supported by steel beams over a complete basement. The black wrought iron frames with slate bottoms were manufactured in the basement and sold in the store. This andistypical of aquariums made in the 1920s. Photograph #11 was shown in the 1930 catalog and is identical to the aquarium cemented into the floor in photograph #10.

In 1953 the original coal boiler was replaced and converted to gas, but connected to the red fire brick chimney. The original coal water boiler has been dismantled but the location in the basement is still evident and the front cast iron inscribed with "William Tricker, Inc." has built in 1928. The spring water (site map #9) is still flowing from the 1800s sandstone rock quarry that gave and still gives Page Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places been saved. United States Department of the Interior owned by the Buskirk family who began the nursery on the proposed property at the turn of the century and building also contains an original 55 gallon aquarium (photograph#10) with legs cemented into the concrete floor the main building. It functioned as the potting of aquatics and product storage.

According to tax records it was The main building is 36feet by120feet and was completed in 1928(photographs #1, 2,3,4,6 and7 the life blood to the business (photograph #15).Itis still slightly alkaline(high pH) as when Mr. O'Brien made National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio Page - Description (continued) his scientific innovation related to pH and supports the hybridized water lilies and commercial operation of x56') are in good condition and were built pre-1920 by the Lord and Burnham Company (photographs #6, 7,8, 13,17 and 18 and site map#4 through#8). The roof is made of cypress (wood) and glass with steel pipe #16) from the adjacent sandstone quarry. Cemented red brick block is used for walls on top of the sandstone footer (photograph#16). The working dormers in the greenhouses were made by the Lord and Burnham Company and still function.

The unique attribute in the greenhouses is the aquatic cement tanks which are still being used today for growing aquatic plants and harboring fish. Some greenhouses have cement tanks on the floor that are used to house and raise fish with the overfill system still functioning. Other aquatic greenhouses water lilies and raise fish. Along the sides are tanks used for water lilies and aquatic plants. Plumbing used to heat the cement tanks has been replaced, but the original design is still evident and working. The three remaining greenhouses (Site map#1-#3) were added in 1928 and are also Lord and Burnham Company greenhouses. They were built similarly to the other older greenhouses but were made with larger cement tanks for growing and raising fish. A wooden 17' by 17' storage shed (site map#19) was built circa 1919 and detroyed by fire from a lightning strike in 1964.

It was rebuilt in 1964 with the original steel roof. A natural gas well (site map #14) was drilled on the property circa 1900. The head of the gas well is located in a cement structure the store, tropical fish room, offices and used to cook fish food. The cement block city gas shed (site map#21) was built in 1953 and is used to feed the gas boiler that replaced the coal burner boiler in heating the greenhouses. Locations and were constructed circa 1919. They currently continue to grow water lilies and aquatic plants. A few ponds have the concrete retaining walls that were used as support walls to prevent erosion that were made for raising lotus plants (photograph #5 and site map#13). Cement ponds for growing and raising fish are still used today (site map #10 and #18) and were built circa 1919s and are unaltered.

All of the ponds drain into a recycle pond (site map#20) which collects the spring water that can be pumped into the greenhouses or outside ponds as needed. The water overflow plumbing, 8" clay pipe, of the recycled pond exits under the adjacent who was the original property owner of the nursery, was built and dedicated in 1928. Continuation Sheet Outside ponds (site map #16 and#17)for cultivation of water lilies and aquatic plants are in their original National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior (site map #9). Section number . There are currently eight historic unique aquatic greenhouses. Five aquatic greenhouses (approximately 18' during this era. Six ponds (approximately 28 feet by 50 feet) are totally made of concrete and specifically used street, Buskirk Boulevard, into a revine.

Buskirk Boulevard (photograph #6, M), named after Albert Buskirk support. Gutters are made of cypress wood. The foundation is made of irregular sandstone rocks (photograph have large tanks cemented on the center floor (photographs 13, 14 and #18) or raised to waist level to grow approximately 7'by6and 1.5'deep sunk into the ground with a wooden roof.This natual gas well still heats Cuyahoga, Ohio Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

XB Property is associated with the lives of persons - C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) -A owned by a religious institution or used for - B removed from its original location. O'Brien, William G. - C a birthplace or grave. - D a cemetery. - E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. - F a commemorative property. -G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Lord and Burnham Company (greenhouses) 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References Previous documentation on file (NPS): N/A - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 - State Historic Preservation Office - Other State agency - previously listed in the National Register - Federal agency L previously determined eligible by the National - Local government C University - designated a National Historic Landmark X Other J recordedby Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: - recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 1919-1934 Bibliography Invention Register Property is: individual distinction. Architect/Builder Aquaculture religious purposes. Applicable National Register Criteria Criteria Considerations significant in our past.

Cultural Affiliation Period of Significance Areas of Significance Narrative Statement of Significance Significant Person County and State (Enter categories from instructions) William Tricker, Inc. a significant contribution to the broad patterns of distinguishable entity whose components lack Primary location of additional data: Significant Dates 1919,1927,1928,1934 for National Register listing.) our history.

A Property is associated with events that have made CFR 67) has been requested (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualitying the property (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) (see continuation sheets) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio Statement of Significance William Tricker, Inc.

is significant under Criterion A in that during the period from 1919 to 1934 it developed into a working aquatic greenhouse nursery that produced aquatic plants and fish, a middle 1920s led to the invention and introduction of the first pH test kit in the world and in 1934 the first outside aquarium air filters produced in the United States. The legacy of Tricker's invention and dissemination of pH testing today serves as the standard for gauging water quality around the world. Under Criterion B, the Tricker Nursery is also significant for its historical inventor. While serving as chief owner and chemist of O'Brien Nurseries, later William Tricker, Inc., O'Brien invented the first pH test kit on the property.

FISH AND AQUATICS- HISTORIC CONTEXT these plants could be found in published sources, however, there were few, if any, water aquatic plants, but supported fish, snails, daphnia, tadpoles, clams, etc. that accompanied them into the customer's water gardens. This required innovative techniques in growing aquatic plants, industry: the creation of "first of their kind" hybrid water lilies, the invention of the first pH test kit in the world is based on the original spring water which was used to raise and experiment including the care and raising of fish. The property was developed to provide a commercial greenhouses to grow aquatics and fish, and to develop supplies for aquariums. required typical plant care, i.e. pots with soil and watering systems. Techniques for growing greenhouse.

The William Tricker company designed and created a nursery that not only grew gardening books for the development and care of such plants and fish in a commercial pioneering achievement during the pre-World War II era.As such the property became an nursery's significance is also based on the fact that research conducted on the property in the Most greenhouse nurseries at the turm-of-the-century grew edible or ornamental plants that industry leader in the development of a wide range of tropical fish and aquatic plants.

The association with William O'Brien, a nationally recognized chemist, water lily aquarist and aquatic farm, and in doing so contributed to many significant achievements in the aquatic with fish, that resulted in the design of unique cement tanks of spring water in aquatic United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio The aquatic greenhouses reflect the architecture of pre-1920s by a leading builder of national engage in the business of building greenhouses. Lord erected his first greenhouse in 1855 in Buffalo, NY. In 1872 he entered into partnership with W. A. Burnham and they incorporated in 1883 as the Lord and Bumham Company. Branches were established in the 1920s and one was established in Cleveland, Ohio. During the later 1920s William Tricker, Inc.

became the nation's largest grower of aquatics and the largest distributor of tropical fish. A horticultural trade magazine The Florest Exchange published an article in the September 1, 1928, issue titled as: showed a photograph of Mr. William G. O'Brien and states that prior to this writing other Lord and Burnham greenhouses have been already erected at Independence, Ohio. Within the article was a photograph of one of the historic aquatic greenhouses (photograph #18 and site map end of the business that started the very logical thing of selling fish along with water plants. It has proven most successful." The unique built cement plant growing tanks still are used (photograph #13) as a testament to the engineering that was accomplished so long ago. The accomplishments not only enabled the William Tricker, Inc.® company to become a world United States. Mr.

O'Brien, while visiting Florida to purchase land for expansion of William Tricker, Inc., died from an accidental fall on a car lift in 1928. The main building (photographs 1,2,3,4,6 and 7) was subsequently dedicated to Mr. O'Brien in 1928, inventor and introducer of the pH test kit and the leading breeder of tropical fish in the United States during the mid-1920s. A bronze plaque with an inscription that honored him was given to his wife at the dedication ceremony and is currently displayed on our wall in the main office. Mr. O'Brien's home was within walking distance from the property, however it has since been demolished and replaced O'Brien's productive years in the aquatic and nursery field with another home. Today the nursery property has the most direct historical association with greenhouse with fish is still functioning (photograph #12 and site map greenhouse #6).

These greenhouse #8) and was captioned "Glimpse in one of the Independence houses. It was this very greenhouses;the Lord and Burnham Company.Frederic A.Lord is known as among the first to "The World's Greatest Growers of Aquatics Build Lord and Burnham Greenhouses".The article renowned aquatic company, but contributed to the history of aquariums and aquatic plants in the United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio to his son Albert Buskirk (1874-1953) who began a nursery at the turn-of-the-century. By 1919 Buskirk had started a sideline aquatic nursery business by building ponds for growing aquatic plants such as water lilies, and had commissioned the Lord and Burnham company to build aquatic greenhouses.

His nursery, the "Independence Nurseries Company," produced a mail order Marietta, Ohio, Mr. William G. O'Brien (1889-1928), a chemical engineer and graduate from department of research for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, subsequently raising fish and had a strong interest in aquatics. In 1924, Mr. O'Brien bought the 3 acre aquatic under the name "W G. O'Brien, Inc." which replaced the name of Independence Nurseries, Inc. Wisnieski, the latter a local businessman and mayor of Independence, and Tricker, a recognized name associated with the sale of water lilies. In October 1927 another milestone was reached when Mr. W. G. O'Brien merged his company, Tricker Company of Arlington, N.J., which was founded by William Tricker (1852-1916).

Tricker was well known as an expert in the hybridization of water lilies, wrote the first water gardening book in the world, The Water Garden (1897) and was credited with publishing a water lily catalog in 1895. The newly formed company was under the control of W G. O'Brien, Inc. and in October 1927 the name was changed to William Tricker, Inc. The capital stock was also increased with this amendment. Using funds generated from the merger, they immediately built Independence and moved the aquatic operation at the Arlington, N.J. location to establish a new branch in Saddle River, N.J. All national mail order correspondence was sent to the main catalog to sell hybrid lilies which was advertised in national gardening magazines.

A native of three more aquatic greenhouses (site map greenhouses #1-3) on the original property in Stock was sold to raise capital from such prominent individuals as Buskirk and Mr. Frank sold aquatic plants and fish throughout the nation through advertisements in recognized Boston School of Technology (now MIT) who previously headed the newly developing had a spring (site map #9) and many ponds (site map #16 and #17). The property was passed on business from Albert Buskirk.The company continued to produce a color mail order catalog and was employed by Albert Buskirk at his nursery in Independence, Ohio.Mr.O'Brien loved Historic Background of Nursery: gardening magazines.In July 1927 Mr.O'Brien incorporated his company under Ohio laws Mr.William Buskirk purchased the original property in Independence in the mid 185Os which W.G.

O 'Brien, Inc., with a well known water lily company on the east coast, the William United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio Independence, Ohio location. With this merger William Tricker, Inc. became the largest grower In the early 1920s, Mr. O'Brien, having become well known as an aquarist, wrote many articles in Aquatic the readers. After raising and studying fish he came to the conclusion that a measurement of pH which he derived from his expensive complex electrical pH meter (photograph #19) was needed by his customers to for his customers to test for pH without the use of an expensive electrical pH meter. He went to a leading chemical company, LaMotte Chemical Company of Philadelphia, Pa. to make a pH test kit.

In 1927 the first "pH test kit" in the world was introduced as "The O'Brien Test Kit". This was a small wooden box with the proper chemicals to test the water for pH and was sold in his mail order catalog to the nation and introduced in trade magazines. He had a bottle of acid in the kit to lower the pH of the water, since the Unfortunately, Mr. O'Brien died from an accident in 1928. He was unable to see the successful use of his has survived over 80 years and the pH test kit has become a recognized name to aquarium lovers and water gardeners around the world. Today, pH test kits are sold the throughout the world. the field of aquatic plants by William Tricker, Inc.® of Independence. Mr. Robert Sawyer at William which was the first pink flowered viviparous water lily. In addition, Mr.

O'Brien hybridized and named introductions greatly enhanced the availability of water lily development in the United States. In 1927 many new and unique tropical water lily hybrids were developed and introduced to the public and control fish diseases in their ornamental water garden pools or aquariums. Mr. O'Brien developed a way revolutionary idea that was invented on this Independence, Ohio property. The William Tricker company topics on water gardening.He used his chemistry background to convey new and unique information to support his findings and claims, especially since pH was a new and difficult idea to comprehend. distributor of tropical fish.

water lily named'Janice'which was the first viviparous white flowered water lily and'Independence Independence spring water source was alkaline.He published his introduction of the new pH test kit in the well known magazine Aquatic Life in the April 1927 issue.Many authorities at that time would not Life, a magazine that was nationally recognized, about the raising and care of fish, aquatic plants and Tricker, Inc.®, hybridized water lilies that became the "first" in the world. He hybridized the tropical the water lily "Patricia' which is the first pink viviparous pygmy of its kind in the world. These of aquatics in America and strengthened an already established reputation as the largest United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio within the original concrete floor.

Since it could not be removed or sold over the years, this historic aquarium remains as evidence of a 1928 style aquarium. It has two structures built for placing candles for heat under the slate bottom. As the tropical fish hobbyist was trying to get a start in the 1920s, most tropical fish were imported from fish in the unique aquatic greenhouses of William Tricker, Inc.® of Independence. He soon brought the company to becoming the largest producer of tropical fish in the country, a legacy that would help William Tricker, Inc.® color catalogs. In addition to selling fish, other hard goods were needed in the rapidly expanding aquarium business. In 1934, William Tricker, Inc.® of Independence introduced the first outside airlift filter in the United States.

This filter, along with aquariums and other supplies, such as remedies for fish diseases, were made by the chemists at William Tricker, Inc.® and were introduced nationally in their 1934 mail order catalog. Today William Tricker, Inc. is still a leader in the water gardening market. A mail order catalog is sent annually to thousands of customers each year. The mail order catalog is extremely similar to the original catalogs that were sent in the 1920s. It includes the unique hybrids of water lilies that were created in the 1920s and offers a pH test kit noting the invention credit to Mr. O'Brien. The old spring water continues to feed the nursery, and techniques used to propagate water lilies and other aquatic plants from the 1920s are still being used. Outdoor ponds continue to grow water lilies, lotus, and other aquatic plants.

CONTINUATION SHEET financially during the Depression years. These fish were sold to dealers and offered in the national Germany and were very expensive. During this time, Mr. O'Brien bred and raised many types of tropical When the main sales building(photograph #10 and map site#11)was dedicated in1928following the Section number 8 Page 7 death of Mr. O'Brien, it had the legs of a 55 gallon wrought iron aquarium with a slate bottom cemented National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio 1. Book Review of Water Gardens and Goldfish by R.V. Sawyer and E.H. Perkins. Aquatic Life, October 1928. Notes: The editor of a most poplular and respected magazine, Aquatic Life, reviews the recent book written by Robert Sawyer who hybridized many unique water lilies while working at William Tricker, Inc.® by saying that "The water lily section, covering 67 pages, written by Mr.

Sawyer, who in all probability is one of the greatest waterlily hybridists of the day". This 1928 statement documents one 2. Burton, Walter E. Midget Gardens. Popular Science Monthly. July 1933. Notes: The article recognizes the contribution of Dr. J.T. Charleston, current manager of Independence William Tricker, Inc. and a former Engineer from Goodyear of Akron, OH, of his invention of an aquatic sold today under the his name "Praefecta" 3. Chambers, K.I., Aquarium (pH) Control, Advertisement Aquatic Life, August 1932, page 177. Note: This adverisement refers to Mr. W.G. O'Brien's introduction and invention of pH test kit. It introduces one of the first replicas of the pH test kit. 4. Charleston, J.T. Research and Scientific Investigation in Care and Breeding of Fish. Aquatic Note: This 1929 article documents that experiements were being done to solve fish disease problems. Dr.

Charleston, manager of William Tricker, Inc.®, in referring to fish problems that existed at this time in the article states that "In the labororatory of Wm. Tricker, Inc., experiments have been carried on to solve many of these problems." Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places Life, May 1929. Annotated Bibliographical References United States Department of the Interior Section number - of the many contributions relative to William Tricker, Inc. as being a leader in the aquatic industry. Page National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio 5. Innes, Wm. T. Goldfish and Water Gardens. Innes Publishing Company. Philadelphia, PA. 1947, Notes: William T. Innes, former president of the Aquarium Society of Philadelphia, wrote a book that from 1917 through the 1950s.

The book lists and recognizes hybrid Tricker water lilies that were made in the 1920s; Patricia (Tricker), Royal Purple (Buskirk) etc. 6. Klee, Albert. The Aquarium: A History of the Aquarium Hobby in America Part 17, pages 32-55. Vol. II No. 6, April 1969. Innes (well known and respected expert in the field of fishes who wrote a most popular series of books on fish keeping and water gardens by William Tricker company, etc., see bibliography #5) in 1932. He describes the pH invention as a "milestone" and includes a brief historical background of W. G. O'Brien's life with Independence Nurseries and as vice-president of William Tricker, Inc. during the 1927 merger. He also Aquarium Hobby" 7. Klee, Albert J. The Aquarium: A History of the Aquarium Hobby in America, Part 19, page 50, Vol.2 No. 8. June 1969. Notes: This particular article states that "In 1934, the Wm. Tricker Inc.

firm, of Independence, Ohio introduced the first airlift filter in this country". This invention was used with indoor aquariums for 8. LaMotte Chemical Products Company, The ABC of pH Control. Baltimore, MD. 1933. Notes: In the pamplet "For Controlling Reaction of Aquarium Water-The LaMotte O'Brien Aquarium Tester" the LaMotte Company, a prominent company that made chemical kits for testing, describes the "O'Brien pH Tester" including use and price. 1949. aeration. National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Page 9 United States Department of the Interior Notes:Albert Klee is editor of a popular magazine The Aquarium which was founded by Dr.William T. Section number - became a standard in aquarium keeping.

It became a well respected book during its long repeated editions discusses pH, ends with "Aquarist, however, should not forget the man who introduced pH to the National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio 9. LaMotte Chemical., ANew and More Accurate Method of Testing Water., Advertisement Aquatic Life, April 1927, page 189. Notes: Introduces the "O'Brien Test Kit" at $3.00 each from LaMotte Chemical Company in 1927. 10. Lee, Richard. 1101 Water Gardening Questions and Answers, William Tricker, Inc.®, Independence, Ohio, 1999. 11. Masters, Charles O. A Limnological Study of The William Tricker Company of Pools, Independence, Ohio. Aquatic Biology. April 6, 1938. Note: A paper written by an authoritative water lily expert (see number 12) Charles Masters to which shows the operation of William Tricker, Inc. from 1929 to 1938.

Has labeled aerial photograph of current 12. Masters, Charles O. Encyclopedia of the Water-Lily., T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Ltd., N.J., 1974. Independence, Ohio. The author Charles Masters lived in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Western Reserve greenhouses. He published scientific papers on the aquatic life at William Tricker, Inc. and then wrote this water lilies. Since Mr. Masters was a scientist he included an extensive bibilography, something that is still unequalled today in any other book on water lilies and makes this book a good reference. In the forward of the book he dedicates it to Mr. Charleston, vice president of William Tricker, Inc. and acknowledges the assistance of the manager Gil Lambacher of William Tricker, Inc. 13. Mellen, Ida. 1001 Answers to Questions about Aquarium Fishes, pages 336-339 chapter History and Application of pH. Dodd, Mead, and Company. 1935.

which indicated that W. G. O'Brien of Independence Nurseries made pH tester "The O'Brien Aquarium Tester" produced from the LaMotte Chemical Products Co. property. company. Continuation Sheet Notes. Ida Mellen describes in detail under the question"How did pH reach the amateur aquarist? National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior Notes: Describes in detail Mr. O'Brien's achievements and the legacy of the William Tricker, Inc. Note: This book documents and identifies the many new hybrid lilies from William Tricker, Inc. of popular book.The book can be considered to be one of the most well respected and popular books on Section number _ Page - University, Cleveland, Ohio. He spent much time at William Tricker, Inc. studying aquatic life in the National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio September, 1928.

Notes: Ida Mellen states that the "late" W.G. O'Brien was the introducer of pH test kit. 15. Muller, Richard T., American Greenhouse Construction, A.T. De La Mare Company, Inc. New York Apnl 1927. Burnham. The book also shows structures of greenhouses with terminology. York, 1954. Notes: Book recongizes on page 9 that the German fish breeders were legendary and states that "Throughout to American aquarist." This can be considered an indirect reference to W.G. O'Brien's contribution, no mention of his name, however. 17. O'Brien, W. G. Aquatic Life, Aquarium Chemistry, pages 177-188, Vol X No. 12, Baltimore, MD. 18. Ramsey, L.W. Garden Pools. The Macmillan Company. New York. 1931. Note: Mentions in forward that the author is indebted to W.G. O'Brien as "one of the best informed men in America upon tropical fishes and aquarium plants" 19. Sawyer, Robert V. and Perkins, Anthony.

Water Gardens and Goldfish, A. T. De La Mare Company, Inc., New York, 1929; second edition 1934. Notes: Written by Robert Sawyer, employee and hybridizer of water lilies at William Tricker,Inc. Page through the efforts of the late Wm. G. O'Brien, a keen student of aquatic biology". Continuation Sheet United States Department of the Interior 16.Nachstedt and Hans Tasche.Breeding Aquarium Fishes,page 9.Aquarium Stock Co.,Inc. New National Register of Historic Places Note:Mentions in forward the companies that build greenhouses which includes the noted Lord and aquarist. Notes:Reference by Ida Mellen about"the"article of Mr.W. G. O'Brien that began pH testing by the Page 14. Mellen, Ida. Correcting That Deadly Alkalinity, Aquatic Life, Vol. XII, Baltimore, MD. the book considerable attention is paid to the pH and DH of aquarium water.

The former is pretty well known 152 states that "a kit for controlling the pH of aquarium water was placed on the market, largely April 1927. Section number 9 National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio 20. Taft, L. R. Greenhouse Construction, Orange Judd Company, New York, 1900. Notes: Chapter on History of Greenhouses which gives a historical description that F. A. Lord erected first greenhouse in 1855 at Buffalo, NY and making partnership with W.A. Burnham 1872. Incorporated in 1883 as Lord and Burnham Co. 21. The Florist Exchange and Horticultural Trade World. The World's Greatest Growers of Aquatics Build Lord and Burnham Greenhouses, page 88. September 1, 1928. Notes: This florist trade magazine states and documents the three newer greenhouses that were built by Lord and Burnham in 1928, site map greenhouses #1-#3.

It also identifies the pre-1928 existing greenhouses were also built by Lord and Burnham in stating that "Independence Nurseries already had our (L&B) greenhouses". There is a photo of greenhouse, site map greenhouse #8, captioned "it was this end of the business that started the very logical thing of selling fish along with the water plants" See photograph 18. 22. The Independence Nurseries. Advertisement, Largest Tropical Fish Hatchery in the Country. Aquatic Life, August 1926. Note: Magazine identifies in advertisement the amount of tanks and greenhouses at William Tricker, Inc. Recognizes the shipping of fish to NY, Chicago and Philidelphia. 23. Water Gardener Here is Tops. Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 28, 1958. Notes: Features Gil Lambacher, who began to work at Tricker's in 1927, is assistant manager and J. T. Charleston as manager in 1929.

Identifies Tricker's unique hybrid water lilies Patricia, Independence, Blue Bird and Cleveland. 24. William Tricker, Inc. 1929 Mail Order Catalog., The O'Brien Tester introduced. Note: Clearly shows the introduction of "The O'Brien Tester" in 1929 and offers for sale. 25. William Tricker, Inc. Mail Order Catalog 1928. Describes the newly created unique water lily hybrids that were introduced by the William Tricker, Inc. company. Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior Section number - Page _12 William Tricker, Inc.® Cuyahoga, Ohio Name of Property 10. Geographical Data (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) 11. Form Prepared By name/title Richard Lee, President organization - - date September 2, 1999 street & number 7125 Tanglewood Drive - telephone (216)524-3491 .

zip code_44131 Submit the following items with the completed form: A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. (Complete this item at the request of SHPOor FPO.) Richard F. Lee Enterprises, Inc. 7125 Tanglewood Drive street & number - telephone city or town - a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box37127,Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503.

US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1993 0 - 350-416 QL 3 216-524-3492 name three Ohio Northing Independence Zone Photographs state Maps Continuation Sheets Easting Additional Documentation See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description Additional items Property Owner Boundary Justification County and State Representative black and white photographs of the property. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement:This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate Acreage of Property (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) instructions,gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form.

Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect 4 4,65,2,0 Estimated Burden Statement:Publicreporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including time for reviewing additional UTM references on a continuation sheet.) 4581920] William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio Being part of Block "A" in the Buskirk Subdivision of part of Original Independence Township Lot No. 36, Tract No. 2, West of River, as shown by the recorded plat in Volume 103 of Maps, page 34 of Cuyahoga Country Records, and part of Original Independence Township Lot No. 2, West of the River, and together forming a parcel of land, bounded and described in deed of parcel in Cuyahoga County Records #562-4-19. historically associated with the William Tricker, Inc.® firm.

Continuation Sheet United States Department of the Interior Verbal boundary justification: Verbal boundary description: National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Section number 10 Page - The nominated property includes the entire parcel, landscape features, spring and buildings with structures National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio Section number photos Page _14 Photograph by Richard Lee, taken 04-04-2000. Original negative at William Tricker, Inc., Independence, OH. Photograph taken from North East corner of property. Shows one natural pond and store building with smoke stack at left. Tricker, Inc., Independence, OH. Photograph taken from North side of property. Shows store building (Site map#11) that was dedicated to William O'Brien in 1928. Note the windows. by Richard Lee, taken 04-04-2000.

Original negative at William Tricker, Inc., Independence, OH. Photograph taken from Southeast point of property. Shows smoke stack. Pond shown. the main store that was dedicated after William O'Brien in 1928. Shows office Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places main store building #11. in building site map#11. United States Department of the Interior Photograph Keys to Original Photographs. On.the right is the shipping building.Shows site map buildings #12 (right) and Photograph Number 1: William Tricker, Inc., Cuyahoga County, Photograph Number 3: William Tricker, Inc.®, Cuyahoga County, Photograph partial greenhouses, shipping building in foreground, and store in background by Tricker, Inc.,Independence, OH. Photograph taken from north west. Shows National Park Service William Tricker, Inc.

Cuyahoga County, Ohio Photograph Number 5: William Tricker, Inc.®, Cuyahoga County, Photograph by Richard Lee, taken 04-04-2000. Original negative at William Tricker, Inc., Independence, OH. Photograph taken from the x 60' each) that were installed in the early 1930s that were to grow lotus plants. Site map#13 Lotus Ponds. Photograph 7, taken in early 1930s. The enlarged photograph (below) of number 6 corresponds to the labels on photograph #7 on the next page National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior buildings, ponds, etc. Photograph can be used to compare to Continuation Sheet South west corner. Shows the cement built ponds (approximately 30 Photograph taken aerial from the north.Shows the entire business, Photograph purchased by William Tricker, Inc.®, taken 08-06-1991. NPS Form 1C-B00-a National Park Service William Tricker, Inc.

Cuyahoga County, Ohio Photograph Number 7: William Tricker, Inc.®, Cuyahoga County, Photograph copied from the 1934 mail order catalog of William Tricker, Inc.®, taken in the 1920s. Original 1934 mail order catalogis at William north. Shows the entire business, buildings, ponds, etc. 3 4 56 7 The above copy, with numerical labels and captioned "An aeoplane view of the entire grounds" is of biology at Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio and was writting on the commercial operation of the business. Beginning in 1929 Mr: Masters studied aquatic life in the greenhouses of William Tricker, Inc.®. He later became well known for writing books, of which, Encyclopedia of the Water Lily was one of his most importantcontributions. Major sites identified by numbers: (1-7) Greenhouses, (I) Spring Water Origin, (H,J) Propagating Ponds, (G) Lotus Beds, (D) More Ponds, C (Main Building).

Comparsion to the previous photograph shows how little has changed since the 1920s photograph was taken. Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior An aeroplane view of the entire grounds. NPS Fom 1C-800-z Page - Tricker, Inc.®, Independence, OH. Photograph taken airal from the found , is from a paper written by Charles O. Masters. Mr. Masters, at the time of the paper, was a student Section number photos National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio Photograph taken by unknown individual, circa 1920s. Original photograph at across the top of the greenhouses. Entrance court shows 1920s vintage vehicles parked. See site map which is the top of greenhouses 8-4. Photograph Number 9: William Tricker, Inc.®, Cuyahoga County.

Original photograph is also found in the 1928 mail order catalog of William Tricker, Victoria plants. Photograph taken circa 1920s. Photograph taken in site map greenhouse #1. Photograph at taken 04-04-2000 by Richard Lee. Original photograph at building which was dedicated to W.G. O'Brien in 1928. Shows the style of aquariums in this era, and since the feet were cemented into the floor to level dates to the building construction of 1928. Photograph taken in site map Independence, OH. Photograph taken in newly constructed building, shows the 1930 mail order catalog of William Tricker, Inc.® It was captioned "A view of our new show room at the Independence plant. The rare and beautiful fishes from all over the world that are on display here, have a great interest to the many visitors who come our water gardens. Our agariums are open to visitors every afternoon.

You will find our extensive displays intensely interesting. Photograph taken in site map building #11. Photograph taken circa 1928. Original photograph at William Tricker, Inc., Continuation Sheet Photograph Number 8: William Tricker, Inc., Cuyahoga County, National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior building #11. photograph at William Tricker, Inc.®, Independence, OH. Copy of Inc.®. Photograph taken in greenhouse speical tank for growing large and rare the same style aquaium (in rear) as photograph #10.Photograph was also in National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio Photograph Number 12: William Tricker, Inc.®, Cuyahoga County, Original photograph at William Tricker, Inc.®, Independence, OH. Photograph taken in greenhouse 6, showing fish tanks, Greenhouse was used by W.G.

O'Brien with raising fish and testing for development of pH test kit. Photograph taken in site map greenhouse #6. Photograph taken in greenhouse 8, showing fish tanks and propagating aquatic tanks. This same greenhouse was featured in the 1928 article of the greenhouse #8. Photograph taken in greenhouse 1, showing unique Victoria plant tanks that can be compared to photograph #9 that was taken in the 1920s. Photograph taken in site map greenhouse #1. Photograph taken at south west part of property. This very spring water, which continues to flow into a cement basin, was used to develop Mr. W.G. Spring Entrance" Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior Florest Exchange, see photograph #18.Photograph taken in site map Section number photos Page 18 O'Brien's pH test kit.Photograph taken in site map location marked 9.

Photograph by Richard Lee of William Tricker, Inc.®, taken 04-04-2000. National Park Service William Tricker, Inc. Cuyahoga County, Ohio Photograph Number 16: William Tricker, Inc.®, Cuyahoga County, taken in greenhouse 7, showing footer made of sandstone, with red clay brick on site map in greenhouse #7. Photograph taken in greenhouse 1,showing the Lord and Burnham greenhouse builders hand cranks and raised cement tanks used to grow water plants. Greenhouse constructed in the 1920s. Photograph taken at location on site map as marked greenhouse #1. Photograph reproduced from the trade magazine "The Florest Exchange" in 1928 under the title "World's Greatest Growers of Aquatics Build Lord and Greenhouse was used by W.G. O'Brien with raising fish and testing for development of pH test kit. Caption at bottom reads "Glimpse in one of the Independence houses.

It was this end of the business that started the very logical thing of selling fish along with the water plants. It has proven most successful." This photograph can be compared to photograph #13 to show that very little has changed. The magazine also states map. Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior OH.Photograph of greenhouse 8,showing fish tanks and plant tanks. by"pole-barn style"greenhousesin the 1920s.Photograph taken at location above. These types of greenhouses are rare with footers and were replaced Photograph by Richard Lee of William Tricker, Inc.®, taken 04-04-2000. Original photograph at William Tricker, Inc.®,Independence, OH. Photograph Original photograph at William Tricker, Inc.®, Independence, OH. Burmham Houses"Magazine copy at William Tricker, Inc., Independence, National Park Service William Tricker, Inc.

Cuyahoga County, Ohio Photograph Number 19: William Tricker, Inc.®, Cuyahoga County, Photograph taken of pH meter used by Mr. W.G. O'Brien in inventing the pH test kit. Electrical cord and electrodes still attached. This pH meter has metal labels of the Macbeth Corporation, New York, a manufacturer of scientific equipment since 1915 and Pfaltz and Bauer, Inc. (Empire State Building, NY). National Register of Historic Places Original photograph at William Tricker, Inc., Independence, OH. Continuation Sheet United States Department of the Interior Section number photos Page Site Map 1 of 2 - NORTH Tricker, Inc.® 9. Spring 10. Cement Ponds - Greenhouse 1 11.

Main Store County Store Cuyahoga Parking Garages Offices Lot Entrance Shipping Shed Pond WEST Building Recycle Chimney Stack Tanglewood Drive Continued bottom of property on next page William * ="Out Driveway - OHIO 8 greenhouses (#1-#8) Main bldg. (#11) William Tricker, Inc.® Outside aquatic ponds (#16-#17) Lotus ponds (#13) Fish ponds (#I0, #18) Continued from bottom 11. Main Greenhouse 1 . Offices Cement Ponds 14. Natural 13.

Lotus Ponds Gas Well - EAST Pond West NON-CONTRIBUTING Cuyahoga County Buildings: NORTH Recyled OHIO Evergreen Drive Sites: Soil Store Build- Garage/shipping (#12) Storage shed #19) Recycle pond (#20) Spring (#9) chimney stack Gas shed EXit Driveway TOTAL of property on previous page UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF 45TH DAY: N PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/ SUMMARY COMMENTS : RECOM. /CRITERIA DATE RETURN TELEPHONE REJECT DISCIPLINE 3/20/01 MULTIPLE 2/02/01 3/02/01 ACCEPT REVIEWER OTHER: REQUEST: SAMPLE: DATE RECEIVED: Entered in the REASONS FOR REVIEW: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: National Register William Tricker Inc.

Historic District N SLR DRAFT: N STATE & COUNTY: OHIO, Cuyahoga DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N PROPERTY PDIL: APPEAL: NATIONAL: LESS THAN 5O YEARS: CUYAHOGA, OH Photo #1 William Tricker, Tme. CUYAHOGA, OH Photo CUYAHOGA, OH CUYAHO 6A, 0H William Tricker, Jnc. CUYAHOGA, OH William Tricker, Twr. CUYAHOGA, OH E-Piant nursery. G - Lotus beds. Gardens at Independence, Ohio. Points of interest are: A - Entrance Court. B - Greenhouses and tropi- cal lily display rooms. and office. D-Propagating ponds and display pools. Left:This is an aeroplane view of the Tricker Water William Tricker, Inc. CUYAHOGA, OH Photo CUYAHOGA, OH Photo CUYAHOGA, OH CUYAHOGA,Oft CUYAHOGA, OH CUYAHOGA,OHH CUYATO6A,OH CUYAHOGA, OH CUYAHOGA, OH CLYAHOGA, OA NO.20>041 81403 NNNNN+G1AU 101 It was this Glimpse in one of the Independence houses.

most successful It has proved end of the busir.ess that started the very lozical thing of selling fish along with the water plants. CUY AHOGA, OH Willian Tricker, Tuc. CUYAHOGA, OH Will iam Tricker Snc. UTm Reference: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CLEVELAND SOUTH QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OHIO-CUYAHOGA CO CLEVELAND SOUTH, OHIO