Nomination for Kuhns, Benjamin F., Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RECEIVEDMAR 1 5 1978 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS Kuhns, Benjamin F., Building AND/OR COMMON 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER -NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY. TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - VICINITY OF 113 ~ PRESENT USE X PRIVATE X COMMERCIAL -BOTH -WORK IN PROGRESS -PRIVATE RESIDENCE PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS XYES: RESTRICTED -YES: UNRESTRICTED OWNER OF PROPERTY The Arcade Development Corporation c/o Albert N.

Sealy, Attorney 118 West First Street Ohio 45402 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION 451 West Third Street REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS Montgomery County Landmarks Committee Report 1 June 1968 DEPOSITORY FOR Montgomery 039 CODE Dayton COUNTY UNOCCUPIED NAME COURTHOUSE STATE CLASSIFICATION ACCESSIBLE HISTORIC TITLE DISTRICT PUBLIC CATEGORY SITE OWNERSHIP STATUS Ohio XBUILDING(S) _ENTERTAINMENT OTHER: _OBJECT BEING CONSIDERED _TRANSPORTATION -SCIENTIFIC _GOVERNMENT _EDUCATIONAL 43 South Main Street _INDUSTRIAL - MILITARY _PARK - STRUCTURE -RELIGIOUS AGRICULTURE MUSEUM FEDERAL DATA SHEET X ALTERED MOVED DATE_ DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

of the Fourth Street facade(south), while violated, has major components pre- served and more may be hidden behind modern facings. The upper levels, above the stone commercial cornice, are in an excellent state of preservation. A tower above the facade was destroyed by fire in 1945. The building is constructed of pressed brick with a profusion of terra cotta ornamentation. The five bay Main Street facade has a slightly advancing central bay, the second level of which frames a stone trimmed mullion window on the second floor and an 1883 date cartouche overhead. An arch above contains a complexity of windowsthat paired brackets, dentils and a brick frieze with texture panels. bays are surmounted dith a one bay tower with two story arch, ailerons over decorated tympanum. bays and a stone cornice which bands the ground level. The arcaded bays match the brackets and has a foliated tympanum.

CONDITION UNEXPOSED EXCELLENT DETERIORATED RUINS DESCRIPTION UNALTERED GOOD The Kuhns Building is a commercial Romanesque structure sitting on a rectangular XORIGINAL SITE CHECK ONE access facing east on Main Street in the commercial core of Dayton.The commer- cial front below the stone cornice has been totally renovated.The ground level gable and shed.The large gable wall dormer hasa raking dentiled boxed cornice windows are flanked by arched windows in lesser scale that have textured panels levelsof paired mullion windows with decorated spandrel and a third of triple site at the northwest corner of Fourth and Main Streets with the principle the right (east), two bays under a decorative gable dormer and three arcaded bays Main Street facade. The gabled segment has two parts defined by piers with two mullions. Below the upper belt course are foliated panels.

The dormers alternate have piers supporting terra cotta imposts. Each arch has a scrolled keystone spandrels. The fourth story is set off by a stone belt course interrupted by terra cotta corbels supporting piers. Each bay is recessed having triple mullion The slate mansard is dominated by a complex of wall dormers. The center three windows to each siderfurther flanked by shed dormer extensions. Over the outer bays are gabled dormers with sweeping margins, recessed mullion windows and The south side facing Fourth Street has nine bays grouped in a four bay arcade to 8

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC CONSERVATION SCIENCE - 1500-1599 ECONOMICS SCULPTURE X1 800-1899 _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The Kuhns Building is an outstanding example of:late nineteenth century brick commercial architecture. It is a distinguished building with strong popular. emotional attachments aa part of the downtown scene. The Dayton architectural firm of Peters and Burns designed the building. It is believed that partner Luther Peters was the principal designer. The contracting firm, Beaver and Butt, was a major contractor in Dayton throughout the second half Benjamin Kuhns was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1825 and died in Dayton in He entered into the farm implement business at Delaware City, Delaware era Dayton was second only to Chicago as a center of farm implements. Mr. Kuhns was noted for his public spirit. He was a prime mover in securing the site of the Soldier's Home for Dayton.

He was a founder of Miami Valley Hospital 1600-1699 1700-1799 LAW EDUCATION COMMERCE PERIOD MILITARY ART TRANSPORTATION AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY LITERATURE INVENTION _COMMUNICATIONS _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC _PHILOSOPHY XARCHITECTURE _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT _ENGINEERING _RELIGION and was considered a philanthropist. of the nineteenth century.Two well-remembered businesses located on the main -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _1400-1499 THEATER _1900- - MUSIC floor of this building were Cohen's "Manhattan Clothing Store" in the 1890's, and reported to be the first major American office building to install a mail chute. Wensthoff and Gat into one of Dayton's most noted implement manufacturers, The Farmer's Friend Mfg.Co.,which specialized in grain drills and harrows.In this 9

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Company, 1882. Mr Herbert Kuhns, grandson of Benjamin Kuhns, Building Manager Files of Mr. Martin Kelly, Local Historian O GEOGRAPHICAL DATA UTM REFERENCES VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION The entire lot, NW corner of Main & 4th, Dayton LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE - 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Loren S. Gannon, Jr. STREET & NUMBER CITY OR TOWN Dayton, Ohio 45402 2 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National 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 criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. E SIGNATURE FOR NPS USE ONLY 513-228-5896 CODE ORGANIZATION COUNTY TELEPHONE ZONE EASTING NORTHING ATTEST: November 1977 DATE 3, 8. 78 LOCAL X Ohio Regional Preservation Office 5HA Kuhns, Benjamin F., Building Photos _ OK.

3.15.78 Accepr - Inventory - APR 24 1978 IN T:2106- 74 OTHER Entered KEEPER ARCHEOLOGIST TECHNICAL HAER Send-back Re-submit HISTORIAN Review Maps Property Federal Register Entry National Register Write-up State ohio BRANCH CHIEF REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Working Number 3.15.78.2681 Montgomes 4.78 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN MARK I JEWELRY MENS CLOTHING GREEN KUHNS, BENJAMIN F., BUILDING APR 24 1978 #1 Facade from east to west MAR 1 5 1978 November 1977 Ohio Regional Office 5HA Dayton, Ohio PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Loren S. Gannon, Jr. W. FOURTH ST. EN'S ONTIN KUHNS, BENJAMIN F., BUILDING November 1977 MAR 1 5 1978 Dayton, Ohio #2 South side from the southwest Ohio Regional Office 5HA PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Loren S. Gannon, Jr. APR 24 1978 BJadds KUHNS, BENAJMIN F., BUILDING Loren S. Gannon, Jr.

MAR 15 1978 Dayton, Ohio Ohio Regional Office 5HA #3 Environment from the southeast PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Fall, 1976 montgomeny Covety C/0 Albert N. Sealy Dayton, Ohio 45402 of the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. The nomination' forus and written conments which we have received properties which are listed pursuant to Section 2121 of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-455). Dayton X. c: Chemineer, Inc. Loren Gannon, Regional Preservationist Sincerely, criteria are now being sent to Washington, D.c. for federal evaluation.

the benefits of listing as outlined in the National Historic Preservation National Register Program Manager We wish to remind you that you have already received information regarding as qualified for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places City-Wide Development Corporation MVRPC regarding placement of your property on the National Register. I am pleased to inform you that your property, listed below, has been given approval by the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board The Arcade Development Corporation concerning the significance of the property under the National Register Benjamin F. Kuhns Building hio Historic Preservation Office March 8, 1978 Gretchen Klimoski Ohio Histcric Site Preservation Advisory Board Dear Mr.

Sealy: You will be notified when a final decision has been made in Washington Mayor of Dayton Act (P.L.89-665) as well as the effects which may result for depreciable 1l8 West First Street CHARLES W. WHALEN, JR. /_THIRD DISTRICT, OHIO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL 1035 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING ECONOMIC POLICY AND TRADE Washington, D.C. 20515 SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICA (202) 225-6465 DISTRICT OFFICE: House of Representatibes DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 501 FEDERAL BUILDING SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC 200 WEST SECOND STREET DEVELOPMENT AND REGIONAL (513) 225-2843 SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISCAL AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS March 23, 1978 Washington, D.C. 20240 AFFAIRS Congressional Liaison Dear Sir: Department of the Interior believe that the enclosure is self-explanatory.

I would like to express my interest in this application Member of Congress inclusion of the Benjamin F.Kuhns Building in Congress of the Glnited tates DAYTON, OHIO 45402 Ohio, on the National Register of Historic Places. CWW: h1 Enclosure COMMITTEES: I am enclosing a copy of a letter concerning the EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT Due Dale IN FORMATION PREPARE FOR SIGNATURE OF FOR DIRECT REPLY FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION ES STAFF DAT3-28 34881 DATE Robinson EXTENSION 3-23 RCVD 4-11 Rep/Whalen, C.W. IDENTIFICATION ACTION SLIP Assigned To: DEPARTMENTOF THE INTERIOR RETURN SLIP TO ES WHEN COMPKETED 6650 3-27 REMARK Kuhns FINAL ACTION 9.55 Honorable Charles W. Whalen, Jr. APR 1 9 1978 Washington, D.C. 20515 Thank you for your letter concerning the nomination of the Benjamin Gary R. Catron National Register. and Director of Congressional and Legislative Affairs H32-NR Places.

on the significance of the property prior to professional review at Sincerely yours began on March 20,1978.After the commenting period has passed the We appreciate your interest in historie preservation. In Reply Refer To: Property owners are given a 30-day period to provide written comnents House of Representatives Assistant to the Secretary Dear Mr. Whalen: HERNIN6TON nomination will be expedited. You will be notifled by the usual COLE form notification if the Benjamin F.Kuhns Building is entered in the 4/10/78 Director, The Ohio Historical Society Columbus, Ohio 43211 Associate Director, Dr.

Connally Chief, OAHP BOR- 34881 523-0431 FHR-CL FHR-Lumpkin Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue Director's Reading File Secretary's File Dr.Thomas H.Smith SSheffield:njd Secretary's Reading File (2) BASIC FILE RETAINED IN NATIONAL REGISTER PILE bce: 4-7-78 ESTIMATED COST 2,700,000 after N/A FEDERAL FUNDS **) no () yes Cio Chemineer, Inc. Dace received 8/25/80 Date into requested () non-contributing () sustained () overturned Monteomery Co intermediate PDIL SIGNIFICANCE Reviewer APPEAL PRELIMINARY FINAL COST Date listed/certified COMPLETED WORK PROPOSED WORK Robert Bates HOUSING UNITS before N/A Date received Name of district Date info received Date of action _Office 1801 Ea. Ist St.

Dayton, Ohio 45403 () approved () denied () plans Main and Fourth Streets [Kuhns Buildinel USE original Office REHABILITATION OH-80-0086 NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER Davton APR 24 1978 Kuhns, Benjamin F., Building Hon. John H. Glenn, Jr. Hon. Howard M. Metzenbaum Dr. Thomas H. Smith Hon. Charles W. Whalen, Jr. Director, The Ohio Historical Society Columbus, Ohio 43211 Dayton STATE Mott Location Name Montgomery County 4/27/78 Also Notified Date Entered ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OHIO State Fistoric Preservation Officer Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue 2 OTHER NAMES: SAPR 24 1978 Kuhns, Benjamin F., Building city / town XI STATE 43 S. Main St. 11) CONGRESS. DISTRICT 3rd (12) SOURCE of NOMINATION - deteriorated 17) features: @SUBSTANTIALLY INTACT - 2 2C NOT INTACT-O Omoved Dunexposed - Unknown 20 NOT APPLICABLE -7 D No Access IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?

DyesOnol IAREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - POLITICS / GOVT.- 21 -RECREATION -28 CLAIMS: explain -ENGINEERING -11 CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 - ENTERTAINMENT-26 - LAW - 16 - RELIGION- 22 C SETTLEMENT-29 CARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS -1 -EXPLORATION -12 - LITERATURE - 17 - SCIENCE- 23 DURBAN PLANWING-31 'oldest' O - AGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION - 8 - HEALTH-27 - MILITARY - 18 - ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS - 9 C INDUSTRY -13 - MUSIC - 19 D SOCIAL / CULTURAL - 30 'only' D - ART-5 - EDUCATION-10 C INVENTION - 14 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 - TRANSPORTATION - 25 6 architectural style(s): 1) interior decorator: _date_ IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER& PUT ON REVERSE Montgomery Dayton CONDITION PH0664774 113 ASSOCIATION engineer: INSTITUTIONAL: FEDERAL PERSONAL: CURRENTLY: builder/contractor: EVENTS: major alterations: artist: COMMERCE-6 historic events: artisan: PRIVATE ORGANIZATION Dunaltered NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: Dfair ADMINISTRATOR: landscape architect/ garden designer: NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET county code: vicinity of Coriginal site master builder: LOCAL Bfunctions Dexcellent Dexcavated SAVED?

YES of entry: GNPS REGION: -good - SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24 D OTHER (SPECIFY) ETHNIC GROUP reviewers initials.