Nomination for Akron Post Office and Federal Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 National Park Service and/or common street & number city, town Ohio 44308 3. Classification - district - public - unoccupied - agriculture X building(s) X private X commercial - park _ structure work in progress _educational - private residence _ site - in process x yes: restricted . government - being considered - yes: unrestricted _ transportation _military - other: 4. Owner of Property - yes x no July 1978 depository for survey records Ohio Historical Society 039 both museum Accessible Category entertainment code Ownership Akron date Columbus object religious Public Acquisition state title industrial historic Status received (3-82) scientific Inventory-Nomination Form 6. Representation in Existing Surveys 1. Name 168 East Market Street Type all entries-complete applicable sections Ohio Historic Inventory 2.

Location National Register of Historic Places date entered Mayer Investment Company Present Use 175 South Main Street 5. Location of Legal Description See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Akron Post Office and Federal Building United States Department of the Interior N/A not for publication has this property been determined eligible? N/A vicinity of FOr NPS use APk APR 2 7 1983 state Ohio 44308 courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Summit County Recorder's Office _ federal x state - _ local county X unaltered X original site X good - moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

Office building in Akron is completely faced and trimmed in smooth limestone in a Roman sash repeating the outline of the arch. columns, whose pedestals are joined by a balustrade of urn-like members, is a large window as on the front, but it is not set in an arch. A glazed lunette with a keystone A blind parapet of flat, slightly raised panels without delineating mouldings surmounts all four elevations, ostensibly resting on a prominent embellished cornice with arch supported by columns, with balustrading below and in the parapet above. separated by pilasters, reiterating in a less fully developed form the fenestration of Condition pavilion. ruins fair unexposed The flanking pavilions are treated identically, each with an arch matching those in the Check one 7. Description metal-frame double-door.

entrance with curvilinear cresting set with acroteria and a center Apparent from the building's exterior is the piano nobile treatment of its interior space. The recessed central block is an arcade of five glazed colossal round arches of deep translucent dado windows reaching to a continuing water table..Each of the full-height rank engirdles the building.In alignment with the arches of the facade the roof parapet glazed lunette outlined by low-relief mouldings. is projected to feature a window such as that on the facade of the wing, set in a deep Extending from this projecting bay to the back corner is an arcade of seven windows further defined ata break in the ascending steps bya pair of matching piers on which - excellent A large, basically square structure of steel frame, the second former United States Post five arches contain escutcheons.

Fronting an interior vestibule, the center arch has a the facade. These windows are joined with a sill course moulding, below which are rest giant metal urn-shaped lanterns. A balustrade extends from each pier to the adjacent vertical window having a pedimented architrave with dentils. The pediment rests on a windows has a simple stone-mould enframement with a wide metal frieze panel above the cartouche. deteriorated denticulation.Below this,coinciding with the arch imposts,a stringcourse of lesser reveal, each supported by Tuscan columns set on pedestals.Panels of geometric designs arches have balancing metal screens with balusters.The glazed upper areas have metal The sides of each pavilion are given a pedimented wide frieze centered with an escutcheon. The arch on either side is treated with the same entrance doors; the end 8.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance - prehistoric - archeology-historic - conservation . science _ literature - sculpture _ architecture . social/ .engineering _music _ commerce .exploration/settlement - philosophy - theater - communications - politics/government - transportation -other (specify) Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) Due to the increase in Akron's population before and during World War I, from opening taking place on Monday, February 11, 1929. floor housed other government related agencies: military recruiting offices, the This building served the Akron area as post office for forty-six years, until it the community, it has remained a highly recognizable Akron landmark. 1700-1799 1600-1699 1500-1599 1800-1899 1400-1499 economics humanitarian invention education Period industry military service commission. (postal services) law Internal Revenue department, customs offices, and training rooms for the civil James A. Wetmore, then acting supervising government architect, and has particular on all four elevations and remains today exactly as designed by its architect.

economic conditions construction did not commence until 1927,with the official Due to this building's long standing architectural and historical significance within appropriation for funds for a new building was begun in 1913,but because of 1900- Areas ofSignificance-Check and justify below 69,000 to more than 208,000,the previous post office at the southeast corner of _ archeology-prehistoric - community planning _landscape architecture - religion . agriculture James A. Wetmore The second former United States Post Office building was designed in 1927 by on Wolf Ledges in 1975. The following year, after being purchased by the Mayer Investment Company of Akron, it became the home of the Charles Mayer Studios.

The ground and main floors were used for postal operations, while the large second 1927-1929 art Builder/Architect significance as an outstanding example of Roman Neo-Classical Revival architecture Specific dates Market and High Streets had become inadequate after only twenty years. An 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Ohio Historic Inventory (1978), #SUM 409-16 (David Moore) Original Blueprint Copies, James A. Wetmore, Acting Supervising Architect AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY, Karl H. Grismer (1952), PP 435, 591, 596 10. Geographical Data Quadrangle scale . Perkins Allotment; Block 9; Al1 of Lot 3, Part of Lot 4 Pl. 1; Page 13 - state 11. Form Prepared By Cynthia M. Pramuk, Director of Public Relations Charles Mayer Studios, Inc. date May 8, 1982 street & number 168 East Market Street telephone 1-216-535-6121 state Ohio 44308- 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 State Historic Preservation Officer signature county date code Easting organization Northing national Attest: Zone Akron West Chief of Registration 1:24,000 Verbal boundary description and justification Acreage of nominated property 1.

16 UTM References Akron Beacon Journal I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated city or town name/title Entered in the For NPs use only _local SHPO Keeper of the National Register 415.7193101J according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. Hatlonal Reglater Akron. Post Office and Federal Building Hational Register - Recom. /Criteria - -e- continuation sheet -technical corrections cited below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 7. Description Date REJECT RETURN Working No.

completeness OHIO clarity alterations/integrity summary paragraph Summit County Reviewer owner objection comments: 6. Representation in Existing Surveys nomination by person or local government _substantive reasons discussed below Discipline boundary selection resubmission AATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Federal Agency: Entered in the Nomination returned for: Action: EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET Fed. Reg. Date: appeal Substantive Review: 8. Significance Checked the resource justification of exception 10. Geographical Data 11. Form Prepared By - state . Date - Signed completeness clarity context Maps Photographs Other applicable criteria summary paragraph relating significance to 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification justification of areas 9.

Major Bibliographical References Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Specific dates Quedrangie neme - Phone: 202 272-3504 relationship of integrity UMT Reterences Akron, Summit County, Ohio Charles Mayer Studios, Inc.( N. & E. Elevations FRONT (FACING NORTH) EAST MARKET STREET SIDE (EAST) PROSPECT STREET A PRODUCT OF 2nd Former Akron Post Office Looking S.W. MANUFACTURERS OF SALES TOOLS AND TRAINING AIDS 168 FAST MARKET STREET 4-82 Mayer Akron, Summit County, Ohio N. & W. Elevations, Detail Looking S. E. SIDE (WEST A PRODUCT OF AANUFACTURERS OF SALES TOOLS AND TRAINING AID 2nd Former Akron Post Office Charles Mayer Studios 4-82 S. & E. Elevations PROSPECT STREET A PRODUCT OF 4-82 Charles Mayer Studios 2nd Former Akron Post Office MANUFACTURERS OF SALES TOOLS AND TRAINING AIDS Akron, Summit County, Ohio Looking N. W. SIDE (EAST) REAR (SOUTH) W. & S.

Elevations, Detail Looking N. E. A PRODUCT OF 2nd Former Akron Post Office Charles Mayer Studios 4-82 Akron, Summit County, Ohio SIDE (WEST) 168 EAST MARKET STREET AKRON OHIO 44308 USA Mayer MANUFACTURERS OF SALES TOOLS AND TRAINING AIDS OHIO_SUMMIT CO AKRON WEST, OHIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 17 456860 4547930 AKRON WEST QUADRANGLE 25 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) UNITED STATES Mapped, edited, and published by the Geological Survey N4100 - W8130/7.5 AUG 10 1982 Local Gov't., Urban Affairs 668 East Park Avenue Elections, Financial Institutions Barberton, Ohio 44203 Kenneth R. Cox August 4, 1982 W. Ray Luce I-71 and 17th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 Dear Mr. Luce: comment on, I believe this property is an excellent selection preservation.

Committees: Sincerely Ohio Senate KRC/bbd for over forty six years.Longer than any other similar has significance to the Akron community beyond aesthetics. 28th District Ohio Historical Center considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic and Insurance nomination and designation as a historic site worthy of State Senator State Historic Preservation Officer landmark for long time residents and new arrivals alike.

the"old post office"is a unique piece of architecture figures"associated with the property so let me just say that and Federal Building"(l68 E.Market St.,Akron) is being I realize that you are well informed of all the"facts and Ways and Means admired the classical architecture of this building, especially now that there is an effort to refurbish it.This structure and Small Business It served as both the downtown post office and federal building for review by your board. Being a life long resident of the Akron area I have often Places.As with the other structures I have been asked to April 14, 1983 Ms. Carol Shull 440 G Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 Jeffrey, Malcolm, House Fabing, Frederick, Residence Please let me know if you have any questions. W. Ray Luce State Historic Preservation Officer Resubmission Sincerely, County Encl.

Sandusky Franklin Chief Summit New Submissions Dear Carol: Ohio Historic Preservation Office National Register of Historic Places Department of Registration Ross Enclosed are four new National Register nominations and one resubmission. All the appropriate notification procedures have been followed for the new Jaeger Machine Company Office Building Buchwalter House-Applethorpe Farm WRL:BP:dd Ohio Historical Center I-71& 17th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 (614) 466-1500 Akron Post Office and Federal Building