Nomination for Court Street Firehouse

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

- State Form 10-300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Rev. 6-72) INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) .

1 8 1974 NAME AND/ OR HISTORIC: (Check One) In Process - Preservation work - Comments X Other (Specify) OWNER'S NAME: LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: TITLE OF SURVEY: - Federal DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: FEB 1 2 1974 Cincinnati Religious Military CLASSIFICATION Entertainment OWNERSHIP 061 CATEGORY ACCESSIBLE DATE Structure Private Government Commercial Site Unoccupied District Private Residence Educational Park STATUS Yes: REGISTER Restricted Transportation Museum Building Both Industrial COMMON: COUNTY: Being Considered CODE NATIONAL Scientific Public CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: vacant Public Acquisition: City of Cincinnati Court and Main Streets Court Street Firehouse NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES STREET AND NUMBER: REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS Agricultural NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 039 TO THE PUBLIC ENTRY DATE HAMILTON CITY OR TOWN: 45th Company Firehouse Ohio 801 Plum Street DATE OF SURVEY: FOR NPS USE ONLY Object Second, Donald D.

Clancy PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) LOCATION Hamilton County Courthouse ENTRY NUMBER OWNER OF PROPERTY 7. DESCRIPTION - Deteriorated - Ruins - Unexposed X Unaltered DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

125 feet, is built of load-bearing grey/buff brick and dressed sand- arches at first floor level, are filled by two pairs of double doors Co No 1". Mithin the arches on the second floor, there are two pairs mullions. The arches are constructed with a Gibbs Surround of rusti- FEB 1 2 1974 CONDITION REGISTER Excellent NATIONAL ily moulded stone belt course with acanthus leaf decoration demarcates the second floor level.

half octagonal stone columns, which also support the carved stone arch- the windows is a carved stone Italianate cornice, embellishied with scroll.The facade is terminated with an Italianate cornice, similar This building occupies the whole of a rectangular site which runs both streets, the main facade is on Court Street.On the first floor cated stone and each arch has a keystone carved in a of1/1windows which have moulded stone architrave trims also and stone (Check One) dentils, more egg and dart moulding, decorated brackets, and five onto the east wall;at the other end a large carved bracket terminates The Richmond Street elevation differs in style from that on Court edon the east bya narrow alley.The building,which is 52 feetx ed stone coping. to that on Court with a shallower brick parapet.

left one bears the inscription "Tool Wagon No 1";and the X Good X Original Site Above Street. It is a two bay facade with a strong vertical, rather than Nn the second floor are five centrally positioned, round arched 1/1 horizontal, emphasis. Each bay has a two story segmental arch. These Moved Fair These doorways are surrounded by fluted stone architraves with sash windows with carved stone spandrels below.

north and south between Court Street and Richmond Street and is bound- are also similar.Above the doors are massive stone lintels.The like those on the Court Street facade.The door frames and surrounds bellished with Greek key pattern and egg and dart decoration.A heav- the feature.The cornice is surmounted by a brick parapet with mould- of this facade, set between smooth rusticated sandstone quoins, are stone,laid ona plinth of rock faced limestone.Though it faces on three sets of double doors which take up the full width of the build- a shield with a diagonal belt motif.The cast iron doorframes are em= al keystone carved inthe form of a coat of arms.The center one bears They are separated by - Pre-Columbian! * 20th Century - Urban Planning X] Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF

Statement of significance

was then the heavily populated hest End, and until its deactivation in 1962, it was the busiest station in the city. Engine Co. 45 had done with the Forryville Firehouse, needs to be explored. 1906-1907 Conservation Architecture Commerce REGISTER Aboriginal Science Engineering Theater Communications losophy Music itarian Art Agriculture Prehistoric Religion/Phi NATIONAL Military Literature Transportation Education Sculpture Social/Human- Industry Landscape the Southern Sector also used this as his headquarters.Tool Wagon Political RECEIVED Fire Departments Hall, and the developing Queensgate II area makes it accessible to a sponded to calls from all parts of the city. This fire station was the former base for Engine Co.45,which was Invention he designedin Cincinnati early in the 2oth Century.

into a new home for the fire museum or perhaps a restaurant, as was No.1and Fuel Fo.No.1operated from the Richmond Street side. is a good example of the early 2oth Century Ren- one of the two largest pumpers in the city, and as a result, it re- AREAs OF SIGNIFICANCE(Check One or More as Appropriate) SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) At the time it was built in what FEB 1 2 1974 Fuel Co. No. 1 was used to supply coal to the steam pumpers until SIGNIFICANCE aissance Revival Mode.Harry Hake was the architect and supervisor 1917 when gasoline driven pumpers came into use. ofconstruction.It is a good extant example of several such station$ the Court Street Firehouse is not in use presently, it has a good The Cincinnati Fire Department was the first professional fire depart+ side was also used for storage.

housed in the basement of the firehouse at 9th and Broadway.Though ment in the United States. from the Court Street side of the building.The Assistant Chief for activated in August'19o7.Equipment was movedto the station in 1906 prior to the station's completion.The 45th rompany operated Currently it operates a fire museum At this time also

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Annual Reports of the City of rincinnati, Report of the Chief of Fire E714500 ber 31, 1904. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY DEFINING THE LENTER POINT OF A PHOPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: than one.

FEB 1 2 1974 FORM PREPARED BY Ohio Arts Council August 3, 1973 tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the c-iteria and procedures set Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation level of significance of this nomination is: GP 0 931-894 Local Degrees DATE LATITUDE ATTEST: Name LONGITUDE ORGANIZATION Minutes Seconds COUNTY N4331170 Cincinnati CORNER CODE STATE Degrees Minutes Seconds NATIONAL LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION National Register, Interview with Assistant Fire Chief Edward J.Avey by Michael F.Frowe As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- CITY OR TOWN: I hereby certify that this property is included in the STREET AND NUMBER: 12.

STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION of Public 31,1906. NAME AND TITLE: 0.39 Gale Brooks, Environmental Preservationist forth by the National Park Service. The recommended Keeper of The National Regist Annual Report of the Board of Public Safety for the year ending Decem- Title REGISTER 2.12, 74.235 CONTROL REVIEW ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN JUL 1 8 1974 INT: 1538-73 KEEPER Entered ARCHEOLOGIST Re-submit Send-back PHOTOS MAPS WORKING NUMBER TECH REVIEW BRANCH CHIEF HISTORIAN REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Hamilton Cole 2. 14 PROPERTY Federal Register entry National Register Write-up Sent.31974 (leave attached to nomination) the write up, please indicate them below.

DATE AND INSTIGATOR (builder, architect, group, engineer, etc.): SURVEY RECORDS (is form correct?): NAME: COMMENTS: DESCRIPTION: LOCATION: PROPERTY: WRITE-UP COMMENT STYLE OR CULTURE: If there are comments or positive) which will affect SIGNIFICANCE (specify paragraph or line): PRESENT CONDITION (altered, covered, ruins, deteriorated--archeological): SHEET Form No.

10-301a UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES FOR NPS USE ONLY (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) JUL 1 8,1974 NAME AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCA TION STREET AND NUMBER: FEB 1 21974 CITY OR TOWN: Nhio DATE OF PHOTO: NEGATIVE FILED AT: INT: 154-72 IDENTIFICATION DATE COUNTY REGISTE 039 PHOTO REFERENCE 061 CODE STATE COMMON: Environmental Preservation PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Court Street Firehouse PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM ENTRY NUMBER July, Detail of the Court Street Facade first floor entrances 45th Company Firehouse PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Mitchell HAMILTON (7/72) Cincinnati,Ohio 311 West Court Street DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. NATIONAL UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Form No.

10-301a NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCA TION FEB 1 2 1974 CITY OR TOWN: HamREGUSTE DATE OF PHOTO: NEGATIVE FILED AT: DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. INT: 154-72 039 Cincinnati DATE COUNTY IDENTIFICATION STATE NAME HAMILTON NATIONAL Environmental Preservation CODE COMMON: Court Street Firehouse Mike Mitchell 061 Court Street facade from the northeast. 45th Company Firehouse PHOTO REFERENCE ENTRY NUMBER PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PHOTO CREDIT: (7/72) July, 1973 FOR NPS USE ONLY STREET AND NUMBER: (Type all entries-attach to or enclose with photograph) 311 llest Court Street RECEIVED OHIO TOOL WAGON Ne Form No.

10-301a UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ENTRY NUMBER (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) 1 8 197* AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCA TION FEB 1 2 1974 CITY OR TOWN: PHOTO CREDIT: DATE OF PHOTO: July, 1973 NEGATIVE FILED AT: DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. INT: 154-72 COUNTY Cincinnati DATE IDENTIFICATION REGISTE STATE COMMON: HAMILTON CODE NAME 039 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Environmental Preservation 061 45th Company Firehouse Mike Mitchell Court Street Firehouse View of Richmond Street facade from the south. PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM RECEIVED NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES FOR NPS USE ONLY STREET AND NUMBER: (7/72) 311 West Court Street Nhio PHOTO REFERENCE NATIONAL Ohin 1. NAME NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) 45th Company Firehouse JUL 1 8 1974 2. LOCATION 311 lest Court Street 3.

MAP REFERENCE REQUIREMENTS: PROPERTY BOUNDARIES, WHERE REQUIRED, AND NORTH ARROW: RECEIVED 1 2 1974 GPO 932-010 1961 TOWN Cincinnati DATE SCALE COUNTY REGISTER SOURCE Hamilton COMMON NATIONAL STATE U.S.G.S. PROPERTY MAP FORM STREET AND NUMBER (Type all entries-attach to or enclose with map) Covington nuadrangle Form 10-301 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AND/OR HISTORIC NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Court Street Firehouse (July 1968) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Photorevised 1969 Dhin Latitude: 39° 6' 19" Longitude: 84° 31' 11" COVINGTON QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNITED STATES STATE OF KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ROAD CLASSIFICATION UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY N3500w8430/7.5 JUL 1 8 1974 Hami1ton County Herriek, Jonathan, House ME. Daniel B. Porter Hon. Donald D. Claney Hon, John F.

Seiber1ing Columbus, Ohio 43211 Location STATE Name MMott/row Director 7/18/74 Cincinnati ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Becker House Date Entered Twinsburg Township Court Street Firehouse Also Notified Hon. Howard M. Metzenbaum Franklin County Coe Mound State Historic Preservation Officer Regional Director, Midwest Region Springdale vicinity Columbus Interstate #7l at 17th Ave. Hon. Robert Taft, Jr. Hon. Samuel L. Devine Hon. Thomas A. Luken Surmit County The Ohio Historical Society OHIO October 8, 1974 Washington, D.C. 20410 On the basis of this information, the Counci) requests that HUD PR-Jan Thorman Sincerely yours, DG-Tannenbaum/els 10/8/74 Director,office of Compliance Historic Preservation Act is applicable.Steps to determine this HPO-Ohio U.s.

Department of Housing and Urban Developnent Ann Webster Smith questlons or requtre assistance regarding this matter, please contact The Council appreciates HD's cooperation in this matter. Cha irman The Advisory Council has been informed that the Queensgate II Urban Part 800). of Historle Places. File:Ohio-NR: Court Street Fire House (106/URP) Jordan Tannenbaum of the Coumcll staff (202-254-3974). Assistant Secretary. Comsiunity Planming and Dear Mr. Meeker: éxpressing your laterest ia this property. any proponed developnest. Dear Mayor Berry: Honorable Theodore H.Berry OBT 17 1974 been lost or destroyed. This vould not seen to be the case with 801 Plum Street are taken into consideration in the Cousell's review process. Mr. Charles W. Pratt Columbus, Ohio 43211 DG - w/cy Inc Mr. David O. Meeker, Jr., FAIA Vashington, D.C. 20410 Mr.

Morton Pahkin Room 214 - City Hall Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 10-17-74 Acting Director Architectural Historian and Administrator Planning and Development Assistant City Solicitor Department of Law Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary for Community Sincerely yours, City of Cincinnati Director's Reading File Historic Preservation Office BASIC FILE RETAINED IN PR Professional Serviccs Regional Director, Midwest Region The Ohio Historical Society Register program. FNP:J Thorman:lmw Ernest Allen Connally the urban renewal projeet. Associate Director, We appreciate your interest in this natter and vill be pleased to Ms.Judith Kitchen Interstate #7l at 17th Avenue concerning the involvement of the Court Street Fire House in Enclosuze bec: THEODORE M. BERRY September 30, 1974 Mr. William Murtagh, Keeper U. S. Department of Interior Washington, D.C.

20240 Re: Court Street Fire House Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati City Council, at its meeting of September 25, 1974, with Court Street), Cincinnati, Ohio, on the National Register of Historic Mayor, City of Cincinnati Morton Rabkin, Assistant City Solicitor H. W. Stevens, Director of City Planning Donald Clancy, U.S. Congress, 2nd District, Ohio MAYOR warrant preservation. National Register of Historic Places Cordially yours, Equal Opportunity Employer National Park Service Please let me know if you can arrange a hearing whereby we may present structure in question is situated in a major residential redevelopment of Historic Places.

historic background of the structure are not of significant value to the appropriate National Register officials, for purposes of consider- Charles Pratt, Ohio Historical Society advance knowledge or consultation with the city government;2) the subarea of the Queensgate II Urban Renewal Project, which project is now undergoing implementation; and 3) the architectural style and ation and approval of the site at the state level was made without any the advice of the City Planning Commission, approved a report express- Dear Mr. Murtagh, ing opposition to the inclusion of the Court Street Firehouse W. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR I-71 and 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211 our case for the removal of this property from the National Register Winston Folkers, Director of Urban Development The reasons for the City's concern in this matter are;1) the nomin- Theodore M. Berry August 13, 1974 Ms.

Judith Kitchen Architectural Historian and Ohio Historical Center Interstate 71 and 17th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 Dear Ms. Kitchen: Your letter of July 25th informed me that the Court Street Fire House at 3l1 West Court Street has been entered on the National Register. We have not been informed of this action anticipated in 1975. Please petition removal of this structure In the future, we should be informed of any proposed placement an act taking place. Sincerely, Administrator MAYOR Historic Preservation Office prior to this time and strenuously object to such inclusion. Project area and is scheduled for demolition.Acquisition is from the National Register. of structures on the National Register in this City prior to such This property is in the middle of the Queensgate Urban Renewal OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Interstate 7l and 17th Avenue August 23, 1974 Mr. Theodore M.

Berry, Mayor 801 Plum Street Cincinnati, Ohio Street, Cincinnati, on the National Register of Historic Places: You were notified by letter on November 21, 1973 (see enclosed a structure is removed only if it loses those historic and/or archi- I do hope the City will consider adaptive use alternatives for the in this regard, do not hesitate to contact this office. Architectural Historian and Administrator Historic Preservation Office X. c. Dr. William J. Murtagh, Keeper National Register of Historic Places 45202 enclosure Sincerely, Xerox copy) that the nomination was being made.I regret that you do the ohio historical society/ohio historical center/columbus, ohio 4321l/telephone (614) 466-668 City of Cincinnati (National Park Service) in Washington.

Judith Kitchen not wish the building to remain on the National Register, but my Cincinnati City Hall JK:dal Regarding placement of the Court Street Firehouse,3ll West Court Dear Mr. Berry: tectural qualities which caused it tobe placed on the Register originally. firehouse.If the Ohio Historical Society can be of any assistance Roon 214 - City Hall [(Sgd.) William J. Murtagh Acting Director, The Obde Cineinnati, Ohio 45202 w/cy inc. FNP:J Thorman:1ml:10/17/74 inc Honorable Theodore M. Berry Cincinnati City Hall 801 Plum Street Mayor,City of Cincinnati Director's Reading File Interstate #7l at 17th Avenue Assistant City Solieitor Department of Law City of Cincinnati Dear Hr. Rabkin: no fornal "hearing" process for the reaoval of properties frou the happy to anser any further questions. Columbus, Ohio 43211 w/ey ine. Regional Director, Midwest Region w/cy inc.

Historlcal Society Mr.Charles C.Pratt Sincerely yours, Mr. Horton Rabkin E. ROBERT TURNER THOMAS A. LUEBBERS . CITY SOLICITOR CIVIL DIVISION CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 October 3, 1974 Mr. William Murtagh, Keeper U. S. Department of Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Re: Court Street Fire House Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Mr. Murtagh: office, with a copy to the Mayor, any regulations which Equal Opportunity Employer CITY MANAGER MR/bjs Assistant City Solicitor and hearing in connection with placement and removal of Mayor Theodore M. Berry landmarks from the National Register. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places you may have concerning the listing of Historic Places Park Service in connection with the pending matter. We would also appreciate any other information which would OFFICE OF CITY SOLICITOR be helpful in preparing the City's presentation to the from Theodore M.

Berry, Mayor of the City of Cincinnati, I would appreciate it if you would please forward to our Reference is made to the letter dated September 30,1974, MORTON RAB. in connection with the above referenced matter. (TSgd.) William J. Murtagh FNP:J Thorman: 1m1:10/17/74 Director's Reading File Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue Cineinnati City Hall Cine1nnati,0hio 45202 w/ey inc. 2 3 1974 Aamiltan lo, onio Mayor, City of Cincinnati Columbus, Ohie 43211 w/ey Ine. Eonorable Theodore M, Berry 801 Plum Street Encleeure E. ROBERT TURNER THOMAS A. LUEBBERS CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 October 3, 1974 U. S. Department of Interior Re: Court Street Fire House Cincinnati, Ohio from Theodore M.

Berry, Mayor of the City of Cincinnati, office, with a copy to the Mayor, any regulations which Assistant City Solicitor CITY MANAGER National Park Service CIVIL DIVISION and hearing in connection with placement and removal of landmarks from the National Register. Mayor Theodore M. Berry Park Service in connection with the pending matter. National Register of Historic Places you may have concerning the listing of Historic Places CITY SOLICITOR We would also appreciate any other information which would be helpful in preparing the City's presentation to the OFFICE OF CITY SOLICITOR Dear Mr. Murtagh: I would appreciate it if you would please forward to our Reference is made to the letter dated September 30,1974, - Mr. William Murtagh, Keeper Washington, D.C.

20240 MORTON RABKIN Very truly yours, MR/bjs Dear Mayor Berry: Cincinnati City Hall State Iistorie Preservation Offtcer with the approval of the State Bonorablo Thaodore H. Berry ervation, 1522 K Street 21%., Suite 430, Washington, D.C. 20005, Professional Servicee Mr. Charles W. Pratt Columbus, Obio 43211 DG - w/cy inc 10-17-74 Acting Director The Ohio Historical Society Director's Reading File Regional Director, Midwest Region BASIC FILE RETAINED IN PR FNP:J Thorman:lmw Interstate #7l at l7th Avenue bcc: Sincerely yours, the urban renewal project. We appreciate your interest in this matter and will be pleascd to Register program.

Ernest Allen Connally /S/ Ernest Allen Commallv You may wish to contact the Advisory Council on Ilistorle Pres- concerning tha Invoivement of the Court Street Fire House in Associate Director, are taken into consideration fn the Council's revlew process. Bnclosute Mr. Theodore M. Berry, Mayor Street, Cincinnati, on the National Register of Historic Places: not wish the building to remain on the National Register, but my I will forward a copy of your letter to the National Register office in this regard, do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerely, enclosure August 23, 1974 firehouse.If the Ohio Historical Society can be of any assistance Historic Preservation Office Architectural Historian and Administrator National Register of Historic Places Cincinnati City Hall (National Park Service) in Washington. Dear Mr.

Berry: Xerox copy) that the nomination was being made.I regret that you do City of Cincinnati Regarding placement of the Court Street Firehouse,3ll West Court Judith Kitchen I do hope the City will consider adaptive use alternatives for the 801 Plum Street a structure is removed only if it loses those historic and/or archi- You were notified by letter on November 2l,1973 (see enclosed JK:dal Cincinnati, Ohio tectural qualities which caused it to be placed on the Register originally. x. c. Dr. William J. Murtagh, Keeper v ohio historical society ohio historical center columbus, ohio 4321/telephone (G14) 46G-×0 45202 Interstate 7l and 17th Avenue Theodore M. Berry August 13, 1974 Ms. Judith Kitchen Architectural Historian and Historic Preservation Office Interstate 71 and 17th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 Dear Ms.

Kitchen: Your letter of July 25th informed me that the Court Street Fire House at 3ll West Court Street has been entered on the Sincerely, Administrator MAYOR Project area and is scheduled for demolition.Acquisition is In'the future, we should be informed of any proposed placement This property is in the middle of the Queensgate Urban Renewal prior to this time and strenuously object to such inclusion. Ohio Historical Center from the National Register. anticipated in 1975. Please petition removal of this structure of structures on the National Register in this City prior to such OFFICE OF THE MAYOR an act taking place. National Register.We have not been informed of this action