Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) - Other State agency - Federal agency X preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested L University LI previously listed in the National Register L Other - previously determined eligible by the National Name of repository: Cincinnati Historic Conservation L designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey recorded by Historic American Engineering Record Primary location of additional data - State Historic Preservation Office 1921-1957 Bibliography Register Architecture Architect/Builder Industry Criteria Considerations American Can Company Building Significant Dates Cultural Affiliation religious purposes.
Property is: Applicable National Register Criteria lack individual distinction. our history. Period of Significance for National Register listing) significant in our past. A Property is associated with events that have made Previous documentation on file (NPS) (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance Office X Local govemment NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section 8 Page 3 8. Statement of Significance The American Can Company Building is significant under Criterion A in the area of industry for its historical C for its distinctive Commercial Style architecture as applied to an industrial building. The building has been little altered and retains a high degree of integrity.
Peter Durand, an Englishman, conceived and patented the idea of using tin cans instead of bottles for food bodies, and punching and flanging the ends. During the 1870s, changes in can technology were stimulated by advancements in metallurgy and by labor problems. During the 1880s, the most skilled aspects of can production became automated. By the 1890s, improvements in machine soldering led to the development of the "automatic line": the automation of the entire shaping and soldering process through a series of interfacing machines. The automatic process was both faster and cheaper than hand can-making Once operational, American Can operated eleven production lines of automatic machinery that received at the west by rail and stored in the first floor of the warehouse area.
The east end first floor included special service areas such as tin-plate repair, re-enameling, lacquering and a lithography room for printing labels. These materials would be moved to the second floor where assembly lines processed the materials into finished products. The finished product, packed at the end of the assembly line, would then be moved back to the warehouse first floor for shipping. (Tess, 1995) The American public's growing acceptance of convenience foods, and the use of cans for nonfood products such as paint and tobacco, led to an increased demand for cans. The development of"sanitary" cans gained new importance with the passage in 1906 of the Pure Food and Drug Act, a federal law that provided for or poisonous patent medicines. This Act paved the way for the eventual creation of the Food and Drug of can manufacturers under a single ownership.
From the outset, the new company began to buy out other companies with top-of-the-line manufacturing equipment, thereby acquiring the latest technology while putting Administration. Historical Development American Can Company Building association with one of the nation's largest can manufacturing companies.It is also significant under Criterion A description of can-making at American Can's Portland plant provides a glimpse into the operation of the automated line. manufactured by individual craftsmen. Gradually,machinesbegan tobe used for cutting and rolling the can packaging.By1839,tin-coated steel containers were used widely.For many years,tin cans were locally The American Can Company was established in 1901.This company was an outgrowth of a massive produced packing cans as well as general lines of cans and pails.
Typically, raw sheet metal would be the inspection of meat products and forbade the manufacture, sale or transportation of adulterated food products plants. The consolidation was undertaken by business investors who saw an opportunity to acquire the majority NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio competitors out of business. The Cincinnati factory was constructed as part of American Can's nationwide expansion of manufacturing operations during the period prior to World War I and ending in the 1950s. In the growth of the American Can Company patents played a secondary role, though not an unimportant one.
In 1901 it acquired the plants, machinery, patents and property of 113 concerns, the (Vaughan, 1930) Helping with the consolidation was the acquisition of then-leading can manufacturing company, the technology for the period and was the deciding acquisition in making the American Can Company a reality. The company was incorporated in New Jersey with $88 million in capital (Virginia Law Register). In an effort to The growth of the new company was exceptional. For example, the American Can Company was ranked ventured into new product lines assisted by the increased national population growth and demand for container delivered foods and commodities. In the early part of the 20th-century, the American Can Company was very secretive about publishing business information, especially production statistics, thereby making research difficult.
If it is true that the consumer has been unaware of the American Can Company and its works, it is equally true that the Can Company has made no attempt to arouse him. On the contrary, in the sober phrase of one of its subexecutives, "The American Can Company is a retiring violet." (Fortune, 1941) A glimpse of the growth of the company can be gained with an article published in Fortune Magazine in 1941. Shortly before publication of the article, the company began to publish can production statistics. The article examined the volume and distribution of the company's sale of cans for 1939, and at that time total sales including coffee, beer, motor oil, paint, shortening, milk and tobacco. Total production of packers' cans amounted to 6.4 billion and 2.6 billion for the general line.
These products suggest the kinds of machines that body without solder, was developed commercially by George W. Cobb, Sr., whose can company was absorbed the American Can Company. American Can Company Building exclusively for processed fruits and vegetables and the"general line"of containers used for commodities, great majority of which were manufacturing cans for sale.Most of the others of any importance were may have been produced at American Can Company's Cincinnati machine shop. Norton Tin Can and Plate Company of Chicago. This company exhibited the leading can manufacturing by American in 1908.
A"master of container the American Can Company was a leader in the exceeded $189 million.This dollar figure was almost evenly divided between sale ofpacker's cans"used Section 8 Page 4 demonstrate the leadership role of the Norton Company, its founder, Edwin Norton became the first president of engaged in the manufacture of can-making machinery of owned valuable patents for such machinery.. NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET American Can Company Building Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section 8 Page 5 The use of enamel linings to protect food against discoloration by contact with tin or iron was first motor oil was American's, although Continental [American's rival] promptly snatched up the idea and ran away with it.
The beer can was - yespioneered by American.... And at this moment American is engaged in what may turn out to be one of the biggest developments of all - the paper milk container.... American was the first to put important money into research and development of the new In the 1920s, for example, the company developed a compound called C-Enamel for lining cans filled with cone-top beer can followed in 1937. In the 1940s American Can experimented with a quick-canning process that preserved more of the foodstuffs flavor, texture, vitamin content and, sometimes, color. It is not known whether these inventions were patented.
The American Can Company is credited with the following patents: Early paper can (Canadian patent) Varnish over ink American Can Company's income from can sales was double that of its major competitor, the The company maintained 60 manufacturing plants and seven machine shops, including the Cincinnati building the federal government involved the company with work to manufacture parts for naval ships and airplanes. competitors. Each of these can companies offered volume discounts to its larger customers, thus significantly two largest can makers stop the volume discount practice. Both companies were required to offer can-making machinery and technology to the smaller firms that brought the suit (Viatech Continental Can Company companies expanded sales through technological improvements. With the court ruling, smaller manufactures became, to an extent, more competitive.
2608072 1952 2601825 169930 1916 2601826 Innovation Date Marking mechanism corrosive substances such as citrus fruits and juices. In 1935 the company originated the flattop beer can.A for making cans and tin closures. Continental Can Company.The two companies accounted for 76 percent of all can sales in the United States. In 195o litigation was brought against the American and Continental can companies by smaller Patent # Printing mechanism for can labels 1952 weakening the ability of smaller can-making firms to serve larger customers.A federal court ordered that the Can Company invention. So was the process for high-speed vacuum-packing of coffee...The can for "There are dozens of other Can Company achievements..(ibid) During World War Two, the Cincinnati plant was part of the larger American Can Company effort to provide facilities used for the war effort.
Because the machine shops were essentially tool and die operations, After the war, the company and its Cincinnati machine tool-making plant resumed the production of machines history). The end result was more competition within the can-making industry. Up to that time, both rival worked out in Can Company's laboratories....The "double-tight"friction cover for paint cans was a NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section 8 Page 6 In 1951, American Can Company's Cincinnati machine shop provided approximately 1,000 jobs. It appears that the decade of the 1950s was a pivotal period for the company and this machine plant.
The beginning of the decade witnessed the continuation of steady growth in machines that made cans and top closures for the company. However, a new innovation that was reaching the marketplace would change the economic fortune of the company and negate the production within this building. The advent of plastic containers in the late 1950s resulted in the slowing down of can production by the American Can Company. A can production facility was built in the north Cincinnati suburb of Blue Ash in 1957 to meet a perceived demand for cans. This demand did not materialize, and the short-lived plant closed in 1960. in Geneva, New York, and San Francisco, California. By 1961, the number of shops dwindled to three, including the building in Cincinnati. The number of jobs at the Cincinnati plant was cut approximately in half, to 500. In 1963, the Cincinnati machine shop was sold.
Over the years, tool and die businesses as well as light manufacturing and storage activities occupied the building. Until recently, several small diverse businesses adaptively re-used for market-rate housing and retail facilities. The construction of the American Can Company Building along Spring Grove Avenue in the neighborhood of emphasis for the development was the proximity to the Miami & Erie Canal, which was built through Cincinnati in the early 1820s. The canal, which connected the Ohio River and the Great Lakes, flowed through the Mill Creek Valley. Later, railroads were built through the valley, connecting Cincinnati with the expanding countryside and Midwestern cities. In the 1850s, the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad was built to link southwest Ohio's three largest cities.
Roughly paralleling the canal route, the railroad cut across Northside at an angle, then turned north through the Miami Valley. Development Context American Can Company Building were housed within it.Presently, the building is undergoing extensive historic rehabilitation and will be In 1952, American Can Company maintained nine machine shops across the country, including factories early development of Cincinnati and especially during the post-Civil War years up to the beginning of the 20t- century, Spring Grove Avenue attracted numerous large and small-scale industrial companies. The initial Northside followed a long-established pattern of industrial development along this significant street.In the NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev.
10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET American Can Company Building Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section 8 Page ] Illustration 1: Route map of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, from Grain Dealer and Shippers Gazetteer (1891). The Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton line was followed in 1867 by the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, which was established in 1845 to connect with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Parkersburg, West Virginia. The Marietta & Cincinnati was built through the Brighton and Camp Washington neighborhoods in the Mill Creek Valley. Construction of these rail lines attracted stockyards, meat packers, and processors of meat by- products. In 1861, Spring Grove Avenue was built to facilitate the early flow of raw materials into the area and movement of finished products to markets.
By the 1880s, the neighborhoods of Camp Washington, Brighton, and Northside began to attract residents who worked in the nearby factories. Page ] OF THE CH&D NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET American Can Company Building Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio The majority of industrial related buildings were found south of Northside along Spring Grove Avenue. This portion of the street evolved as the major concentration of industrial activity. Significant industrial businesses located on Spring Grove Avenue or in close proximity to it included the Powell Valve Company, makers of industrial valves, the Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine manufacturers, the Andrew Jergens Company, makers of soap and toiletries, and Kahn's and Company, meatpackers.
Numerous small industrial activities were also However, as early 20** century industrial expansion was attracted into the area, companies found that it was easier and cheaper to locate towards the northern end of Spring Grove Avenue. The American Can Company took advantage of the Northside location because it offered both rail and road linkage at a reasonable site development cost. During the early 19 century, Cincinnati's economic strength was based upon a location advantage that incorporated access to the Ohio River. The city's extensive riverfront provided a focus for goods and commodities to flow into and from the city. The riverside communities of northern Kentucky also contributed By the 1820s, Cincinnati was emerging as the "premier city on the Ohio River and in the West" (Giglierano and Overmyer, 1988, p. 20).
The construction of the Miami & Erie Canal Canal linked the city to sources of raw materials and agricultural goods to the north and the west. Beginning in the 1850s, railroads that additionally linked the community to a historically growing hinterland and markets were reached by the diverse transportation network. Cincinnati produced durable goods and relied on the agricultural hinterland for agricultural products. However, as "railroads began to challenge river trade leveled off." (ibid) The early implementation of the Miami & Erie Canal functioned as a major location for a variety of industrial activities as well.
Prior to the advent of the rail systems in Cincinnati, the area that was to become Spring Grove Avenue began to attract a variety of industries because of the ease of transportation across a flat few areas like Spring Grove Avenue, Gilbert Avenue (the former Montgomery Turnpike), and several roads bisecting the city's West Side evolved as both locations for industry and for ease of traveling from the downtown into the surrounding rural and suburban areas. The railroads also took advantage of the city's topography. Because the Mill Creek traversed from the Ohio River northward through hills created by the creek's channel, railroad planners found it easy to construct their tracks.
As rail lines began to be built through the valley in the mid-19th-century, industry soon followed The City of Cincinnati also banned heavy industry from the urban core, so many companies formerly located at the mouth of Deer Creek near the Ohio River relocated to the present-day valley neighborhoods of Camp Washington and Northside. New manufacturing enterprises located along Spring Grove Avenue, along with many older firms that left the riverfront or the West End to build larger or more modern facilities. Cincinnati Industrial Development rivers and canals as the primary means of commercial transportation. Cincinnati's rapid growth slowed as the to this development. riverbed. Other areas of the city were hampered by the surrounding hillsides and topographical constraints.A located along the street. Section 8 Page 8 NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev.
10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET American Can Company Building Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section 8 Page 9 By the 1870s, residential communities began to grow in close proximity to the creek and adjacent to Spring Grove Avenue. Along its length, Spring Grove Avenue influenced the growth of several communities that would subsequently become incorporated into the city. Most notable of these were the communities of Camp Washington, Northside, and Cumminsville. Spring Grove Avenue cut through these communities and attracted numerous workers within local industries as residents. By the time the American Can Company building was constructed in 1921, Cincinnati already had an established canning industry.
In 1938, the Federal Writers Project identified the Heekin Can Company as the largest manufacturer of steel food and beverage cans with two plants in the metropolitan region. American Can Several other smaller companies were identified as well. In addition, several companies also made galvanized reaching $2.25 million. the industrial development of Cincinnati and, in particular, Spring Grove Avenue. It is a good representative example of the Commercial Style as applied to an industrial purpose during the early part of the 20**-century. It exhibits distinctive characteristics of scale, proportions, and materials that are associated with reinforced concrete stylistic detailing This early 20t*-century example of the industrial Commercial Style would not be possible without the use of a new style of construction where reinforced concrete replaced wood in factory walls, roofs, and supports.
This gave better fire protection and allowed large volumes of unobstructed interior space. The Packard Motor Car Company factory in Detroit, built in 1907, was the first development of this principle. The Packard plant was The development of the modern concrete factory, with relatively open floor plan and abundant light, met the needs of industry for efficient manufacturing facilities. Searching for a "rational" workplace, turn-of-the- The pier and spandrel wall construction of the Can Company building allows for the use of large multi- light multiple window bays. Reinforced concrete construction is found also at the floors and ceilings and at the distinctive large columns with splayed capitals. Like Kahn's auto factories, the building is massively Architectural Development 20"-century engineers and industrial architects recast the factory itself in the image of the machine.
Such The American Can Company building is also significant under Criterion C for its architectural contribution to Company's rival, the Continental Can Company had a factory in the nearby industrial suburb of Norwood. reinforced concrete asa method of construction.At the turn of the 2o-century,American architects developed steel garbage cans. It was estimated that employment in the can industry was about 1,500 workers with wages designed by architect Albert Kahn, who had studied concrete construction as a student in Europe. "This innovative, sturdy, light, clean, spacious, efficient factory so excited and pleased the young automakers who constructed to sustain heavy machines and heavy manufacturing processes. NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev.
10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET American Can Company Building Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section 8 Page 10 While there has been no comprehensive study to date of Cincinnati's reinforced concrete industrial buildings of of those recorded on Ohio Historic Inventory Forms, revealed some general characteristics. Industrial buildings of reinforced concrete construction were built in Cincinnati beginning in the early 20*h-century. They are multi-story, flat-roofed structures of medium to large size, often incorporating a large surfaces, simply treated. These buildings often feature a high proportion of window to wall area, with large, industrial-type metal windows. Some have a square tower rising two or three stories higher, placed on center, off center, or in a corner.
Architectural details generally are limited to the main facades, with the non-primary facades much more simply treated. Pedestrian entrances and cornices are focal points of ornamentation. Some warehouse buildings Truck bays and loading docks are located at side and rear elevations. Commercial Style concrete industrial buildings in Cincinnati. Many of Cincinnati's early-20*-century industrial buildings utilize the two- or three-part division of elements characteristic of the Commercial Style, which was widely used for both manufacturing and warehouse buildings from ca. 1890 to 1940. Most of these buildings incorporate a three-part division of the main facade. The lower level, which is usually the first floor, incorporates architectural details that delineate it as a separate part of the facade.
A common feature of the first- floor detail is an interior cornice that extends across the facade, physically separating it from the upper floors of the building treatment. However, buildings do not need to incorporate any storefronts to articulate the style. The interior upper floors usually exhibit pier and spandrel wall construction, with windows set in shallow, recessed bays between vertical piers. Window bays may be separated into single, paired and triple The third element that articulates the Commercial Style is that the topmost floor, or sometimes the top two floors, are treated differently from the rest of the building. Usually the top floor(s) are physically separated from the lower stories by a plain or decorative interior cornice or stringcourse that extends the length of the building. Window bays may be enframed by brick, stone, or terra cotta detail.
The upper-story detail can also incorporate a projecting cornice or parapet. Some buildings that incorporate the three-part division to the facade characteristic of the Commercial Style, can also incorporate specific details that are associated with the Renaissance Revival, Neo-Classical Revival, or Art Deco modes. Representative concrete industrial buildings in Cincinnati. The reconnaissance survey, conducted in March 2007, located numerous concrete warehouse or industrial buildings on the periphery of Cincinnati's Central the early 20-century, a reconnaissance survey of representative examples built c. 1910-1930, and an overview Reinforced concrete industrial buildings in Cincinnati. sash configurations.All the floors are usually treated the same way. Many of these buildings are three to eight stories high, of rectangular, cubical or irregular massing.
located in mixed-use districts incorporate glazed storefronts with multiple doors and large display windows. Sometimes storefront bays, with plate glass display windows, are detailed as part of the first-floor NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section 8 Page 11 Business District, where they housed light manufacturing, warehousing or printing firms. Others, used as light or heavy manufacturing plants or warehouses, can be found in industrial districts near downtown or in the Mill Creek Valley. Downtown Cincinnati. At 310 Culvert Street, at the eastern edge of downtown, is a five-story building of utilitarian style, with a seven-story tower placed off-center on the east facade.
Large industrial-style, multi- light steel casement windows with frosted glass panes are used on the north, east and west elevations, with glass block windows employed at the south facade. The main entrance, located in the west elevation, has a molded surround and double-leaf steel doors with Art Deco-style geometrical grilles. The building is being converted to condominiums, and some of the windows are being removed to create inset balconies. One block east, at the northwest corner of East Third and Eggleston streets, is an industrial building size.
Many of the window and doors have been removed or replaced with chain link fencing for improved Across the street, at the southwest corner of Third and Eggleston, is a former industrial building been covered with Dryvit, the windows have been replaced with new thermal sashes, and a new glazed atrium entrance with pergola has been created at the west elevation. Wooden gazebos also have been placed on the roof for use by office workers. The former Crown Overall Company building at 302 West Third Street is a five-story building of wire- cut brick, with an abundance of Neoclassical Revival details in cream-colored terra cotta. These include swags, cartouches, and an in antis entrance at the east facade.
The building has recently been adapted as office space, elevation The former Gibson Greeting Card Company building is located at the southeast corner of West Fourth and Plum streets in the West Fourth Street Historic District (National Register, 1979). It is a large, eight-story brick structure with minimal Neo-Classical Revival details in limestone and terra cotta, and an iron-and-glass opened to create inset balconies. Most of the remaining windows have been replaced with aluminum sashes. An inconspicuous two-story brick rooftop addition also has been added. At the western edge of downtown is the former Hennegan Printing Company building, located at the wire-cut brick facade features double segmental arches and diapered brick panels. The building has been renovated as office space and is presently vacant.
All the windows have been replaced with tinted thermal units and a new glazed entrance has been created at the east side of the building Spring Grove Avenue in the Camp Washington industrial district. Among them is the former Huenefeld Stove large steel sash. The main facade is adorned with terra cotta cornices and trim. Truck bays have been added to ventilation. American Can Company Building Camp Washington.Many concrete industrial buildings of the early-2ot-century can be found on with a modern three-story rooftop addition of glass and steel.A new entrance also has been created at the south The main block is eight stories high and three bays wide, flanked by three- and four-story wings of unequal converted to offices. Irregular in shape, it stands four stories high with a raised square parapet. The walls have northwest corner of West Third Street and Central Avenue.
It is a three-story building of rectangular plan. The recently converted to a parking garage. Utilitarian in style, it exhibits brick curtain walls and steel casements. factory, now an auto parts warehouse. It is a six-story brick "daylight factory," with window-walls filled with NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET American Can Company Building Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section 8 Page 12 the front elevation, and the windows of the side elevation have been altered by metal infill and undersized sash. A cinderblock side shed addition also has been added window bays have concrete infill panels. The main entrance is contained in a square corner tower with terra cotta frontispiece. A shaped cornice and minimal interior cornice complete the design.
Some of the windows have been replaced with undersized sash and infill panels. The former Crosley manufacturing company on Arlington Street is an eight-story daylight factory of cubical massing. Presently abandoned, the building suffers from neglect but has been little altered on the exterior. It features a signature 11-story corner tower with a balconette, decorative parapet and arched windows. A Deco-inspired main entrance addresses Arlington Street. The building was recommended for National Register listing as part of a 2003 Cincinnati Historic Inventory because of its associations with the Crosley company, a Cincinnati-based firm that produced many pioneering inventions in the early-20**-century. Walnut Hills.
In the Walnut Hills neighborhood on Cincinnati's East Side is a former Ford Motor been attributed to Detroit-based industrial architect Albert Kahn, who designed many factories for Ford and other manufacturers in the early-20**-century. Listed in the National Register in 1989, the building underwent a certified rehabilitation as loft office space in 2003. original functions. As they have been altered for new uses, these adaptations often have resulted in a loss of integrity. Typically, window and door openings have been modified, new monumental entrances created, and additions appended. As a result, many of these buildings no longer retain sufficient integrity for National perhaps because recent low-intensity uses have not required major changes to the building. The building's Carl G. Preis, architect The architect for the American Can Company's Cincinnati building was Carl G.
[C.G.] Preis (1887-1959). Mr. Preis was employed by the American Can Company and designed many of the firm's buildings. It was not unusual for a large company to hire its own architectural staff to design and manage building construction. during the company's rapid expansion of new construction after World War I. By 1936, he had attained the position of chief engineer. In that year, he was promoted to vice president in charge of engineering and architecture for the whole company. In that capacity, he oversaw all of the construction and rehabilitation functions required for the company. After leaving American Can Company, Mr. Preis was associated with Eversharp, Inc., manufacturers of pens and razors. By 1953, Mr. Preis was the president of the firm. He retired in 1956.
Many of Cincinnati's early-2o"-century reinforced-concrete industrial buildingsno longer serve their Company auto assembly plant built in 1915 to assemble Model Ts. The four-story, 120,000-square-foot daylight factory features large, tripartite bays and a profusion of tile and terra cotta ornament. The building has Register listing. The American Can Company Building, by comparison, retains much of its original fabric, imposing scale and good state of preservation distinguish it from many other buildings of its type in the city. At 3265 Colerain Avenue is a Commercial Style six-story concrete daylight factory of cubical form. The Mr. Preis was employed as an engineer and designed some of the industrial buildings for American Can NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev.
10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET American Can Company Building Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section 8 Page 13 Mr. Preis also was an inventor, having received patents while at the American Can Company for a 1936, and March 11, 1959). Several American Can Company buildings have previously been recognized as significant and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. These include buildings in Portland, Oregon (with Preis as the architect), Baltimore, Maryland, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Additionally, the Baltimore, Maryland, building has been documented for the Historic American Engineering Record Like the Cincinnati plant, these buildings are massive, three-to five-story structures of reinforced concrete construction with flat or saw tooth roofs.
Roofs are flat; walls typically are of red brick and exposed Commercial styling with minimal ornamentation. Detailing, if present, is applied to main entrances and Preis is credited with the design of American Can's plants in Portland, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Montreal, Quebec, in addition to Cincinnati. Despite their common design elements, these buildings did not use a standard plan; each building was designed for its specific site. Located in the Maisonneuve district, the Montreal factory was built in 1917-1918 by American Can Canada, Limited.It is a four-and five-story edifice whose front facade is decorated with cast Art Nouveau motifs. The facades are articulated by wide spandrels, with narrower bays anchoring the corners. The windows of the top story are segmentally arched. The building has been adaptively reused as offices and retail space.
American Can's Vancouver factory was built in 1925. It is distinguished by its irregular plan and saw tooth roof. The main entrance is contained in a three-story, projecting pavilion, one bay in width. Gothic been designed a Vancouver Heritage Building. It was rated "A" as the best example of its particular style or office building, a service building/boiler house, and an interconnected factory and warehouse. The three-story office building is covered in yellow brick veneer. The main manufacturing building is a three-story, L-shaped volume. It is clad in red brick and detailed with concrete pilasters with stylized brick cap ornament. type. projecting spandrels.
white concrete.Multi-pane industrial steel sash fill the structural bays.The buildings exhibit utilitarian Revival and Art Deco flourishes accent the piers and spandrels.Rehabilitated as offices in 1988,the plant has In 1921,Preis designed a plant for the American Can Company in Portland.It consists of a detached cafeteria tray and for a vacuuming process associated with manufacturing of cans (New York Times, October 23, NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section number 9 Page 14 9. Major Bibliographic References Biggs, Lindy. The Rational Factory: Architecture, Technology and Work in America's Age of Mass Production, Cincinnati Historical Society, Business and Industrial File. , picture folder for the Northside community.
- newspaper clippings for American Can Company. Clark, Hylma M. The Tin Can Book: The Can as Collectible Art, Advertising Art, and High Art. New York: American Library, 1977. Cincinnati Post, 1938. Vaughan, Floyd L. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 147, January 1930. Fortune Magazine. American Can Company, January 1941, pp. 52-97. Giglierano, Geoffrey G., and Deborah A. Overmyer. The Bicentennial Guide to Cincinnati: A Portrait of Two Hundred Years. Cincinnati, Ohio: The Cincinnati Historical Society, 1988. Historical American Engineering Record, American Can Company, Baltimore, Maryland, HAER No. MD-63. National Youth Administration in Ohio. The Canning Industry in Ohio, May 1939. 3, 1970, pp. 360-387. March 11, 1959, Obituary for Carl G. Preis," p. 59. Ohio Historic Inventory Forms for Cincinnati, Ohio.
Available at Cincinnati Preservation Association. New York Times, October 23, 1936, American Can Company appointment announcement for C. G. Preis, p. 38. American Can Company Building (Rev. 10-90) Studies in Industry and Society series.Baltimore,Maryland:Johns Hopkins University Press,2002 Tess, John M."American Can Company Complex."National Register nomination,1995. Navin, Thomas R.The 500Largest American Industrials in 1917,"The Business History Review:Vol. 44, No. Federal Writers Project in Ohio. They Built a City: 150 Years of Industrial Cincinnati. Cincinnati: The NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section number 9 Page 15 Vivian M. Baulch, "Albert Kahn, the architect of the auto industrialists," Detroit News.
Available online at www.info.detnews.com/history. Accessed March 5, 2007. Ohio Historical Society, 2005, "Cincinnati Hamilton & Dayton Railroad", Ohio History Central: An Online Encyclopedia of Ohio History. Accessed June 23, 2007. Ohio Historical Society, 2005, "Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad", Ohio History Central: An Online Ohio Historic Preservation Office. National Register online database, www.ohiohistory.org/histpres. Accessed March 4, 2007. www.oplin.org CONTINUATION SHEET Online Resources American Can Company Building (Rev. 10-90) Sanborn Map Company. Cincinnati, Ohio. Fire insurance maps, various years. Available online at American Can Company Building Hamilton County, Ohio 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property 2.262 acres.
Cincinnati West quadrangle (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) 1 16 712800 4337250 Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) Boundary Justification 11. Form Prepared By June 23, 2007 street & number 1026 Lenox Place_ telephone_513-751-9629 Submit the following items with the completed form: A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. Representative black and white photographs of the property. (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) name American Can Building, L.L.C., c/o Steve Bloomfield instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form.
Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of Photographs Additional Documentation Additional items Property Owner UTM References Continuation Sheets Zone Easting Northing See continuation sheet. why the boundarieswere selected ona continuation sheet.) (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) name/title Lawrence F.
Mitchell and Margaret Warminski city or town Cincinnati OH - zip code 45229 street & number 660 Lincoln Avenue #303 city or town Cincinnati state OH Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.0.Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings.
Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. Maps telephone 513-241-6363 NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET American Can Company Building Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Section number 10 10. Geographical Data of Jacob Hoffner's Subdivision, including consolidated parcels 95, 96 and 97. The building occupies a 2.262- acre irregular parcel, measuring 519.65 by 143.13 feet, at the northwest corner of Spring Grove Avenue and surrounding properties under different ownership and not historically associated with the American Can Company. Boundary Justification Fergus Street.
Verbal Boundary Description The nominated area comprises the entire parcel associated with the American Can Company.It excludes The American Can Company Building is located within the corporate limits of Cincinnati.It occupies Lot 211 National Park Service Page 16 NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio Page 17 AMERICAN CAN COMPANY 4101 SPRING GROVE AVENUE CINCINNATI, HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO Photographer: Fred Mitchell Date: March, 2007 1. East and south facades. 2. Main south and east facades. 3. Detail of south facade. 4. Detail of entry. 5. Portion of south facade. 6. Portion of south and west facades. 7. Stairs and fire escape, west facade. 8. Detail of west facade. 10. West and north facades. 12. Detail of east facade. 13. Materials storage area. 14.
Rear bay loading dock. 15. Interior truss detail at rear. 16. Interior stairwell. 17. View at 2nd floor. 19. View across floor. 23. Partition detail at 4* floor. 25. View at sth floor. 20. Detail at 3rd floor. Section number Additional Documentation Additional Information American Can Company Building List of Photographs National Park Service 22. Detail at 4h floor. Description of View: 18. View at 3 floor. American Lan Company 4101 Spring Grove Avenue Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio 1904-1930 Sanborn Fire Insurance AMERICAN CAN CO MFRS. OF CANNING MACHY. POWER & LIGHTS: ELEC.-I.E.P. HERT: STEAM-FUEL: CORL- NIGHT WATCHMAN-APPROVED CLOCK.- Fireproof OSSTR. CONN. BLUE ROCK 522 1508 1500 OFFICE FERGUS MACHINE Construction. Map of Cincinnati (v. 6, p. 624) STEEL R'MC /&5 ONLY 1516 ATOR ENG.450H 1921" (fireproof Const'n) BLD'G.
CC.E East elevation of American Can 4101 Spring Grove Avenue Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio Company EAST.ELEVATION TACTORY:KOR AMERICAN CAN Section, American Can Company Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio AMERICAN CAN .C -JECTION- G-A- 4101 Spring Grove Avenue MERICAN CAN CO. Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio 4101 Spring Grove Avenue American Can Company ERT #A.56-JEPT.18-1933. American Can Company Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio 4101 Spring Grove Avenue AMERICAN CAN CO. WESTERN WATERPROOFINg NORTHBIOE METAL GRINDI Site Plan and View of Photographs BPRING GROVE AVENLE 4101 Spring Grove Avenue Cincinnati. Hamilton Co..
Ohio American Can Company loor Plan and View of Photographs 4101 Spring Grove Avenue Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio January, 2007 DESIGN DRAWINGS -NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION OR BIDDING SHEET American Can Company The Historic American Can Building GROUND FLOOR PLAN As-built floor plan -* Factory Square Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio January, 2007 DESIGN DRAWINGS - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION OR BIDDING American Can Company SECOND FLOOR PLAN 4101 Spring Grove Avenue As-built floor plan - Factory Square 3900 SF Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio January, 2007 DESIGN DRAWING8 -NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION OR BIDDING American Can Company 4101 Spring Grove Avenue As-built floor plan THIRD FLOOR B PLAN The Hiatoric American Can Building - Factory Square 4000 sf BHEET 2650 SF Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio January, 2007 DESIGN DRAWINGS - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION OR BIDDING American Can Company FOURTH FLOOR PLAN 4101 Spring Grove Avenue As-built floor plan The Historic Americen Can Building -* Factory Square SHEET 3900sf 4000 3F 2650 sf Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio January, 2007 DESIGN DRAWINGS - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION OR BIDDING The Historic American Can Building American Can Company FIFTH FLOOR PLAN 4101 Spring Grove Avenue As-built floor plan - Factory Square 4000 sf 3900sf BHEET 1101 Spring Grove Avenue Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio American Can Company NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 16TH DAY: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: ¿ntered in the If a nomination is returned to the nominating authority, the DATE TELEPHONE 10/09/07 DISCIPLINE 10/20/07 9/06/07 MULTIPLE PDIL: REVIEWER RECOM./CRITERIA OTHER: VACCEPT DATE RECEIVED: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR nomination is no longer under consideration by the NPs.
REASONS FOR REVIEW: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N DATE OF 45TH DAY: REQUEST: N RETURN SAMPLE: Jational Register HAm i lhon County Photo Nol Hamilton County. . Photo #2 HAmilton County CLEUELAND AUTOMATIC MACHINE CO ERDERLE HAmiton) County HOTT Hamiton County : Hamilton County American e HAmilton County Hamilton County HAmilton County Hamilton County HAmilton County HAmilton Couny Hamilton County HAmilton Coun OHIO-HAMILTON CO. CINCINNATI WEST, OHIO CINCINNATI WEST QUADRANGLE 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
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