Nomination for Amherst Town Hall

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR - State (Rev.

6-72) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - County NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) AND/ OR HISTORIC: L039 (Check One) X Building - Unoccupied - Structure - In Process XX: Restricted - Preservation work - Comments - Other (Specity) OWNER'S NAME: LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: 328 Broad Street TITLE OF SURVEY: DATE OF SURVEY: - Federal - Local DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Lorain LOCATION Elyria Site Religious Transportation OWNERSHIP CLASSIFICATION DATE Commercial Amherst CATEGORY Government Private District Both STATUS NAME Agricultural ACCESSIBLE CODE Educational Ohio Entertainment Museum RECEIVED Scientific Park Military Yes: Public COMMON: Lorain County Courthouse Private Residence Industrial DATA SHEET Public Acquisition: Being Considered REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS STREET AND NUMBER: OWNER OF PROPERTY 206 South Main Street Object Amherst Town Hall City of Amherst TO THE PUBLIC CITY OR TOWN: HAY 2 9.

1978 MAR 14 1975 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 13- charles A. PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) 093 DESCRIPTION - Fair Deteriorated - Ruins - Unexposed - Unaltered - Moved bay which projects slightly. The center bay has a recessed, round-arched doorway which is flanked by 1/2 story tall Corinthian capped pilasters. The second floor of this bay has 1/1 rectangular windows separated by arched window with multiple panes and ends in a square, open bell tower which has round arches, a steeply pitched roof and corner turrets.

To either side of the center bay are flat-arched rectangular windows with plain stone lintels on the lst and 2nd floors and a 1/4 circle window with stone lintels on the first floor and a large, three-part window with a round-arched light above it on the second floor are found in The rear (west) side of the building is solid stone except for two sets this elevation. At the corners of the building, except for the northwest octagonal cupola which once contained a bell to call the firemen to a in 1915, of local sandstone. MAR 1 4 1975 CONDITION NATIONAL REGISTER being repaired. of the building. Original Site RECEIVED fire.There is an iron rail outlining a "widow's walk" which is currently the rest of the building.

stone 1intels.The cornice is supported with carved wooden brackets around The north and south sides of the structure are identical.Each hasa in the gable.The 1/4 windows are framed with stone voussoirs. (Check One) The Amherst Town Hallisa2-1/2story sandstone structure ona raised All four corners of the building are rounded.The front corners of the cornice at this point and continues to the center bay at each side X Good pilasters. Above the entrance, TOWN HALL appears in raised stone letters. a thin pilaster. Above each window, in a plain, rectangular stone slab, of paired windows on the first floor. The foundation is exposed on stone foundation. It was built by master craftsmen from local sandstone quarries in 1884.

The front (east) facade is 3 bays with a center entrance Excellent are capped with stone voussoirs.A carved wooden bracket begins under The entrance is reached by eight stone steps.Large stone voussoirs Fair these bays.All other windows in the Town Hall are flat-arched with smooth frame the entrance.The date 1884 appears on the pedastals of the - Pre-Columbian! X 19th Century - Urban Planning - Other (Specify) - Invention STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

of native sandstone, the structure is not only architectually significant, but important to the community as a monument to the work of local in the area. until 1870 when stone quarries began to be worked with channel machines instead of by hand. In 1873 Milo Harris, son of Judge Harris, laid out an addition to family donated land for a town hall. The building was financed by the township and the city of North Amherst at a cost of $2,000. James town was changed to Amherst. center for the city government and police station.

The auditorium of the auditorium space might include a musum of local history, a MAR 14 1975 1884 Architecture Conservation losophy Communications Commerce Transportation Science Military Engineering REGISTER Prehistoric SIGNIFICANCE Religion/Phi Landscape Literature Aboriginal Industry RECEIVED Theater Music Agriculture Sculpture Education itarian Social/Human- The fine stonework is particularly important to the community since cultural center or a library. Amherst is traversed by three ridges of sandstone.Judge Josiah Harris portion has been neglected,but plans call for it to be restored.The Political The town hall was truly a civic center for Amherst-the auditorium was Amherstville and renamed the town North Amherst.In 1884 the Harris Nichol was in charge of its construction.In 1906 the name of the founded the village of Amherstville in 1818,on the northern ridge.

NATIONAU PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) building is large and flexible enough to be used for future generations. A structural analysis of the town hall has been done and future uses Amherst is known locally as the "Sandstone Center of the World". Built craftsmen and to the sandstone industry - the earliest form of employment used for political rallies as well as stage production. Today it is a The Amherst Town Hall isa good example of a small town public building.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES by Lorain County Historical Society, Elyria, Ohio. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY DEFINING THE CENTER POINI OF A PHOPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES APPROXIMA TE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: WAR 14 1975 FORM PREPARED BY Robert D. Lauer, President STREET AND NUMBER: 1982 Velma Ave. CITY OR TOWN: STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- I hereby certify that this property is included in the 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 forth by the National Park Service.

The recommended Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation level of significance of this nomination is: - Keeper of The National Regist * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1973-729-147/1442 3-l Seconds Degrees Center LATITUDE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION COUNTY LONGITUDE STATE Amherst Name CODE Minutes ATTEST: DATE CORNER REGISTER Ohio Historical Columbus Amherst Historical Society 039 RECEIVED NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION Degrees Minutes Seconds Gretchen Klimosl Preservation Office 276 Crocker Street National Register. Oct. NAME AND TITLE: less than one 17 397400 4583500 ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES Vietzen, Col. Raymond C. Yesterday's Ohioans. 1973. Local Ohio Williams Brothers.

LXXXXXE Photos - ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Inventory - Cole National Register Write-up KEEPER OTHER ARCHEOLOGIST CONTROL Send-back 75001459 TECHNICAL HAER Maps Re-submit Review 3-17-75 HISTORIAN Federal Register Entry State ACCEPT Working Number 3.14. 7 5. 39 BRANCH CHIEF United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WAso No.7 Ohis 5-23-75 INT: 2106- Property REVIEW UNIT CHIEF 7-1-75 4.9.15 TOWN HALL UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FORM 10-301 A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 1. NAME MAY 2 9 1975 2. LOCATION 3. PHOTO REFERENCE R.D. Lauer 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

MAR 14 1975 GPO 932-009 1974 Lorain Amherst TOWN DATE COUNTY Amherst Historical Society COMMON STATE REGISTER NATIONAL PHOTO CREDIT Ohio Amherst Town Hall 206 South Main Street RECEIVED NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AND/OR HISTORIC PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM STREET AND NUMBER (6/72) East (front) facade. (Type all entries - attach to or en close with photograph) NEGATIVE FILED AT NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Form No. 10-301a - UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Amherst Town Hall LOCA TION DATE OF PHOTO: NEGATIVE FILED AT: DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

093 039 1974 Lorain Lauer DATE NAME COUNTY Amherst Amherst Historical Society STATE CODE ENTRY NUMBER REGISTER FOR NPS USE ONLY Ohio PHOTO CREDIT: PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM COMMON: 206 South Main Street PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER AND/OR HISTORIC: STREET AND NUMBER: (Type all entries -attach to or enclose with photograph) PHOTO REFERENCE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CITY OR TOWN: Rear (west) and north facades. IDENTIFICATION (7/72) NATIONAL MAR 14 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 876.167 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FORM 10-301 A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NAME AND/OR HISTORIC MAY 2 9 1975 2. LOCATION 3. PHOTO REFERENCE R.D. Lauer 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Detail, east facade.

MAR 1 4 1975 1974 TOWN DATE Amherst COMMON NATIONAL Amherst Historical Society RECEIVED PHOTO CREDIT Amherst Town Hall 206 South Main Street REGISTER PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM STREET AND NUMBER NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES (Type all entries -attach to or en close with photograph) (6/72) PROPERTY OE THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 932-009 NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) COUNTY Lorain NEGATIVE FILED AT Form No. 10-301a NAME LOCA TION R.D. Lauer US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 876 - 1 67 093 039 1974 Lorain COUNTY Amherst Amherst Historical Society DATE CODE Ohio PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: FOR NPS USE ONLY IDENTIFICATION 206 South Main Street COMMON: STATE PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM STREET AND NUMBER: Rear (west) and south facades.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AND/OR HISTORIC: (Type all entries-attach to or enclose with photograph) PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER CITY OR TOWN: ENTRY NUMBER UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (7/72) NEGATIVE FILED AT: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATE OF PHOTO: Amherst Town Hall $ 1975 DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. NAAIGDAAL UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FORM 10-301 A NAME MAY 2 9 1975 2. LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER 3. PHOTO REFERENCE R.D. Lauer 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. MAR 1 4 1975 GPO 932-009 1974 Lorain Amherst TOWN COUNTY DATE STATE COMMON Amherst Historical Society PHOTO CREDIT REGISTER NATIONAL Ohio PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM 206 South Main Street NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AND/OR HISTORIC NEGATIVE FILED AT North and east facades.

(6/72) (Type all entries-attach to or enclose with photograph) Amherst Town Hall NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PROPERTY DF THE NATIONAL REGISTER NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) RECEIVED Form No. 10-301 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Rev. 7-72 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER MAY 2 9 19/5 AND/OR HISTORIC: STREET AND NUM BER: MAR 1 4 1975 U.S.G.S. 7.5' Lorain Quadrangle TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference.

039 1969 Lorain REQUIREMENTS Amherst LOCATION COUNTY NATIONAL DATE NAME 093 STATE CODE Ohio REGISTER COMMON: 1:24000 MAP REFERENCE SCALE: SOURCE: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES 206 South Main Street PROPERTY MAP FORM Amherst Town Hall CITY OR TOWN: (Type all entries-attach to or enclose with map) RECEIVED UNITED STATES 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) LORAIN QUADRANGLE OHIO - LORAIN CO N4122.5-WS2075775 Amherst Town GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE OF OHIO LORAIN, OHIO 17 397400 4583500 November 12, 1968 Mr. John S. Vasconi Director, Department of Amherst, Ohio 44001 Dear Mr. Vasconi: in Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio, we are enclosing materials pertinent the congressional authorizations, it will be a considerable period individual preservation projects under this Act.

We would suggest The Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio, as the State Liaison City Hall in Amherst, Ohio. Russel1 V. Keune Mr. Daniel R. Porter Regional Director, Northeast RVKeune: jah 12- 1966. Sincerely yours, historic preservation purposes. Community Development to the administration of the National Historic Preservation Act of Officer for administering the provisions of the Act as they will Because the congressional appropriations for this Act have not met National Register In response to an invitation by Secretary of the Interior Udall, In response to your letter of November 4 concerning the City Hall keep Mr.Porter informed of your interest in the restoration of the eventually relate to the State of Ohio.We would suggest that you 245 Park Avenue of time before there are any matching federal funds available for Assistant Keeper of the the Governor of Ohio has designa ted Mr.

Daniel R.Porter,Director, BASIC FILI H30-HR that you make inquiry of the Department of Housing and Urban Develop- NED IN HR ment which does have a funded matching grant-in-aid program for CITY OF AMHERST, OHIO MARVIN R. DAVIS I S. Vasconi, Director 206 SOUTH MAIN STREET Phone 984-2127 November 4, 1968 U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D. C. 20006 The City of Amherst, located in Lorain County, Ohio, and being one of Anherst sandstone, mined from the Historical Amherst Sandstone Quarries. With the City's constant expansion, the need for additional floor area has become astronomical. Therefore, because of the great "home town pride" Therefore, I would appreciate receiving a copy of the National Register JSV: jh Mayor Councilman Patton Preservation restoration of this historical building.

National Park Service in the original sandstone structure the City is very much interested in this Historical Sandstone Building. cc to: Mayor Davis the fastest growing communities in the State has somewhat of a problem with Office of Archeology and Historic Dear Sir: H4I PARK AVENUE 44001 (216) 988-7119 and the Grants in Aid Manual so the City may apply for assistance to improve Its present City Hall building.This City Hall was built in 1884 and used FEB 2 6 1975 LORAiNC. OHiO Washington, D.C. Dear Mr. Mosher: DePaola, Hayor of Amherst, Ohio, concerning the nomination of Sincerely yours, Mr. Charles C. Pratt Columbus, Ohio 43211) w/c of inc. bcc: Regional Director, Midwest Region) w/c of inc. L, Dr. Curry) LS-Ms. Wood - Director's Chron. Director's Reading File The Ohio Historical Society Honorable Charles A.

Mosher We have been advised that the nomination for this property has Acting Director FNP:W Reeves:mj:2/21/75 House of Representatives by the State,ve will expedite its review and advise you immedi- SS-11848 We appreciate your interest in this matter. Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue H34-PR received initial approval by the Ohio Historieal Advisory Board, Anherat City Hall to the National Register of Historic Places. has passed.As soon as the approved nomination is forwardto us ately if the property is listed in the Hational Register. Washington, D.C. Sincerely yours, (2)) w/incoming FNP: CRBraxton: crb: 2-10~75 11848 the Honorable Anthony J. DePaola, Mayor of Amherst, Honorable Charles A. Mosher Gary Everharat Dear Mr. Mosher: Ohio, concerning the possible inelusion of Aaherst City Hell to the National Register of Historie PLaces. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. WASHINGTON, D.C. . Feb... 5...

Frank R. Wolf, Cong. Lia. Washington, D.C. 20240 The attached communication is sub- mitted for your consideration, and to ask that the request made therein be complied with, if possible. If you will advise me of your action in this matter , I will appreciate it. Very truly yours, Room 7355 attn. roberta casey,) 53401 11848 Department of Interior 0 1448 BEPT. OF INTERIOR FEB 6 10 53 AH *75 CITY OF AMHERST. OHIO ANTHONY J. DEPAOLA January 24, 1975 Congressman Charles A. Mosher 2442 Rayburn Building Enclosed you will find a letter we are very proud of...

the acceptance of the Amherst City Hall building by the Ohio Historical Site Preservation Advisory Board as a Congressman Mosher, we feel you can be of great help to Amherst by putting forth an all out effort to have our building included in the National Register of Historic Places of the National Park Service, United States Depart- ment of the Interior._Any help you can give to encourage Thanking you in advance for your support I remain Respectfully yours, project. MAYOR Lauer AJD/sf historical site. enclosure Mongello Dear Congressman Mosher: 206 SOUTH MAIN STREET 44001 JAN 2 7 1975 this action along will be most appreciative. We are most anxious to have a speedy acceptance of this improtant Wadavozth, Frederick, House Old Washington Peerless Motor Company Plant No. 1 Dr. Thomas H.

Smith Columbus, Ohio 43211 Location 6/2/75 STATE Ashtabula County MMott/row Name Kent Also Notified Cuyahoga County Westerville Date Entered Portage County Lorain County East Cleveland ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Chagrin Falls Westerville High School-Vine Street School Edinburg vieinity State Historic Preservation Officer Regional Director, Midwest Region Guernsey County The Ohio Historical Society Hon. Charles A. Vanik Hon. Louis Stokes Windsor Mills Christ Church Episcopal Old Washingtan Historic District Interstate 7i at 17th Avenue Hon. Charles A. Mosher Hon. J. William Stanton Clevelana Stoneman, Joseph, House Davey, John, Hlouse Hon. John H. Glenn, Jx. Hon. Wayne In Hays Fxanklin County Amherst Amherst Town Hall Hon. Robert Taft, Jr.

2 OTHER NAMES ty / town Xaltered 'first'O 'oldest' O 'only' D PHILOSOPHY - 201 ®master builder: S) interior decorator EVENTS : Geoff 093 county artist Midwest Lorain 5-29-75 Amherst PERSONAL: INSTITUTIONAL: ADMINISTRATOR vicinity of NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET Amherst Town Hall 206 S/ Main St. 4 county code: (12)SOURCE Of NOMINA - deteriorated Xoriginal site *SUBSTANTIALLY INTACT Dmoved Oreconstructed _ Unknown -RECREATION -28 20CLAIMS: explain C SETTLEMENT-29 - LITERATURE-17 - SCIENCE- 23 AGRICULTURE -3 - MILITARY- 18 ECONOMICS- 9 C INDUSTRY-13 [ MUSIC - 19| - SOCIAL /CULTURAL-30| TowN HaLL 6) architectural style(s): 3g) artisan: street & number ASSOCIATION features builder/contractor: HEALTH-27 Dunexposed 1CONGRESS.DISTRICT URBAN PLANNING-31 ARCHITECTURE-4 CONSERVATION-8 Dunexcavated ME as it appears on federal register: NOT APPLICABLE-9 Dexcellent Xgood NOT INTACT-O SAVED?

YES Oruins Bfunctions ARCHEOLOGY-historic- BNAMES give role & date Ofair