Nomination for Krause Building--Otto Moser's Cafe

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior received OCT | 7 1985 and or common .not for publication city, town -vicinity of State Present Use - unoccupied - agriculture X building(s) 4 private - work in progress . private residence . religious - in process - yes: restricted 4. Owner of Property : street & number has this property been determined eligible? - yes date 1975 .federal depository for survey records 2. Location both museum 039 entertainment code Category transportation government educational Accessible county site structure Cuyahoga other: Ownership industrial Cleveland Status Columbus district historic title object park local Ohio Historical Society 6. Representation in Existing Surveys date entered National Register of Historic Places 1. Name Krause Project Partners being considered Ohio Historic Inventory Public Acquisition scientific 5.

Location of Legal Description 3. Classification Type all entries-complete applicable sections (3-82) Ohio Inventory-Nomination Form National Park Service 2072 East 4th Street See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe For NPS use only 1219 Ontario military NPS Form 10-900 - public . commercial courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Cuyahoga County Administration Building date _ excellent .

deteriorated moved date X fair Commercial Style, with combination hollow-tile and reinforced-concrete windows are grouped in threes, with the middle windows larger than those building, which is entirely enclosed by neighboring structures (thus COSTUMES" has been partially obscured by later construction of the At ground level, the entrance to the building's upper floors is located a cast stone lintel bearing, in stylized letters, the name "KRAUSE." this doorway from that of the adjacent store, which has a separate High, beamed ceilings; old-fashioned light globes; dark wooden tables however, in a letter to the city's Division of Building dated April 2, Condition elevator. entrance. ruins 7.

Description although the present vertical wood paneling represents a still later original site with carved chairs; walls filled with hunting trophies and Otto Moser's double-hung,wooden sash windows with continuous cast stone sills.The historic collection of autographed stage pictures--all contribute to its flanking them.In the top story, the windows are slightly recessed and Inside, the ground floor (and the basement, used for cooking and storage) Check one were added beneath the balcony.Acoustic tile on the ceiling was added the front. *The building was designed to have one fire escape, at the rear; adjoining building.

tains a penthouse that accommodates the building's single electric The storefront was substantially remodeled in the 1950s, _unexposed Interior alterations have been as follows:In the 1940s a small The Krause Building is a narrow, six-story and basement building in the Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

1912,William and Charles Krause agreed to build another fire escape at balcony supported on columns was added at the rear of the cafe;originally carved wood. The latter reads "otto Moseris Tavern, Est. 1893." . unaltered The facade, faced with red brick laid in common bond, is articulated by and there is a brick frieze with geometric ornament of cast stone. Fire The facade, brick fire walls; on the south wall, a faded mural advertising "KRAUSE used for storage and an office, it now accommodates private parties and large lunch crowds. In the 1950s air conditioning was installed, neces- alteration. The cast stone cornice features dentils, The building's north and south elevations consist of Recessed double doors of steel are capped with precluding photographs), features the same three-part window divisions on the right-hand side.

Above the lintel is a large oculus window.A brick pilaster separates are divided by brick pilasters. The flat composition roof con- There is a projecting neon sign and another, flush sign of slicing operations were moved to the front window; and flourescent lights is occupied by Otto Moser's. The cafe has changed very little since 1913. measures 25 feet wide by 90 feet deep. OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe Page 1 The building's upper floors are substantially intact, although the walls Item Number 9 -- continued New York: The World Publishing Company, 1950. fixtures. later. Inventory-Nomination Form date entered Continuation sheet Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohem number 7 famous Arcade.

National Register of Historic Places National Park Service building.Framed partitions with fixed sash of obscured glass enclose original wooden office partitions with fixed sash of obscured glass.The (3-82) file, History Department. NPS Form 10-900-a a small hall on each floor, off which are located the elevator and rest the block features some fine late 19th-and early 20th-century commercial United States Department of the Interior For NPS use only On the third and fifth floors, at the front of the building, are The Krause Building is located in a short, narrow commercial block that connects Euclid and Prospect avenues in downtown Cleveland. It is flanked rooms.

received and ceilings are in poor condition from nearly 15 years without tenants or heat.There is a narrow iron stairway in the northeast corner of the second and fourth floors have been remodeled with drywall partitions to by smaller buildings of later construction, although the remainder of features a skylight.The building still has many of its original light Areas of Significance - Check and justify below -social/ - music - philosophy - politics/government -transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1912-1913 Statement of

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) occupied the second and third floors of the building, while on the ground for the storefront, which has been remodeled, the Krause Building - Otto were all opened, while the Opera House, the lyceum, the star, and the presented every kind of musical theater; the best attractions, including 1600-1699 1700-1799 1500-1599 1400-1499 1800-1899 communications economics commerce conservation engineering architecture education History invention industry archeology-prehistoric military archeology-historic Period exploration/settlement science agriculture The sculpture law literature Moser's Cafe retains its original appearance and conveys in an immediate 8.

Significance Moser's extensive collection of autographed stage pictures, spanning 50 recent New York successes, were given their first local production at way that period during the early 2oth century when it achieved historical "Turn off Euclid onto E. 4th, walk south for one minute, then step back .communityplanning the same site),Otto Moser's represents a genuine German wirtschaft (saloon directly across the street--no doubt figured in both William Krause and contributions to Cleveland social life.Still in business today, the cafe years of American theater history, fills the walls, and the cafe is redolent floor was Otto Moser's cafe, for half a century a favorite meeting place closed and was torn down in 1922) was Cleveland's leading theater. prehistoric Xhumanitarian the Opera House.

opened ca.1893 Moser and Krause occupied the previous building on Criterion A X1900- Otto Moser's is an old-style German cafe. The Builder Architect Gustave B. Bohm longtime theatrical and masquerade costumers, in what was then the heart art religion Originally landscape architecture The Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe is significant for its association with Cleveland theatrical and social history. Proximity to the Euclid Avenue Opera House--the stage entrance was The narrow, six-story of actors and actresses performing in eight nearby theaters. All were located at the city's center, on or near Public Square. Theater in Cleveland reached its zenith during the first decade of the Otto Moser's decision to locate their businesses on Sheriff (now East of dowmtowm's Cleveland's once-lively theatrical and night life.Except 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Quadrangle scale 1:24000 UT M References _ state 11. Form Prepared By Carol Poh Miller, Historic Preservation Consultant date May 1, 1985 street & number 2940 Somerton Road telephone (216) 321-3940 The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: 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 State Historic Preservation Officer signature I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Chief of Registration U.S.

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1983 0 - 419-311 organization code date county Easting Northing Attest: 44118 Cleveland Heights local national Cleveland South Zone Krause Project Partners name/title Quadrangle name Cleveland City Directories. 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification ereeted their building. under contract with Robert Zimmer/ 10. Geographical Data Ohio erature Department; "Cleveland-Restaurants-Otto Moser's" clipping boundary represents the original parcel on which William and Charles Krause permanent parcel #101-26-67.It is 25 ft.wide by 90 ft.deep.This city or town For NPS use only Acreage of nominated property less than t Keeper of the National Register List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries "Cleveland-Theaters-Euclid Avenue Opera House" clipping files, Lit- 11-14-85- OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp.

10-31-84 Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe, Cleveland, with refreshments, but also a place to meet old friends. table, every day- actors and stagehands through the 1940s, Otto Moser's represents just of the American theater as Anna Held, Lillian Russell, Eva languay, John rical portraits--among them, those of Sarah Bernhardt, Helen Hayes, Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, and Fanny Brice--remains intact, and the cafe Charles Lenihan, who added cash registers (Moser refused to use them) this tradition.

Page received date entered (3-82) Inventory-Nomination Form National Park Service Continuation sheet Cuyahoga County, Ohio social life: National Register of Historic Places Often the saloon would serve the community as a private The early German saloons provided Clevelanders not only Cleveland's theatrical center had moved uptown to the Playhouse Square Item number 8 its members, for the most part actors and actresses, included such scions United States Department of the Interior of cheese kept on a table in the rathskeller.

the same people would meet at the same stammtisch, or There, they put on private shows for themselves; there were stories, song; Before he died, Otto Moser expressed a wish that his photograph collection NPS Form 10-900-a For NPS use only The owner usually knew every customer by name, and During Prohibition, Otto Moser's remained in business as a sandwich bar- Otto Moser's cafe was hailed as a link to the city's "glamorous Otto F. Moser (1867-1942) was born in Canton, Ohio. He came with his the beginning, Otto Moser's took on the flavor of the city's theatrical great and near-great of the American theater, and displayed them on the Thus Moser's gallery of theat- The club took its name from a great wheel These "formed a collection of theater portraits that January 1942,just short of marking 50 years in business. continue to adorn the walls of the cafe.

and night life.Moser began collecting autographed pictures of the Otto Moser himself presided over the cafe until he died in area by the early stage people continued to make their way went to work for Otto Moser in 1921), who moved the meat-slicing opera- walls of his cafe. wirtschaft has been cited as among the German contributions to Cleveland to Moser's. and built the small balcony at the rear of the cafe; and Max Joseph (he A gathering place of Clevelanders for over 90 years and a resort of parents to Cleveland ata young age, and worked as a In an obit- NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe, Clevland, he founded is still in business today. carver, milliner, and notions dealer.

He is first listed as a costumer 1891, Krause is listed at 30 Sheriff Street, which would later become Krause & Son. home for their growing company at 1025 Chester Avenue, but Charles died National Register of Historic Places "at the lowest rates." Inventory-Nomination Form received (3-82) Continuation sheet Cuyahoga County, Ohio date entered architect with offices in the Williamson Building, designed the narrow, theatrical and masquerade costumes for over four decades, and the company office and shop; third floor, tailor shop; occupancy of the upper floors noted its intended occupancy as follows: first floor, store; second floor, In April 1912 Charles Krause applied to the city's Division of Building William Krause retired soon thereafter and died in 1922.Opera promoter Item number 8 in 1923 shortly after the building was completed.

David M.Yost joined the company as president in 1921,when the city Up the stairway next door to Moser's was the costume shop of William in the Opera House Daily Star of December 27,1879,describes him as a For NPS use only Page 2 operated Otto Moser's since 1977. 1868. From that date until 1879, he is variously listed as a furniture and was completed in september 1915. Together they built a new of tenants over the years. The William Krause name first appears in the Cleveland City Directory in The upper floors of the Krause Building have been occupied by a succession Construction began in August 1912 Those having the longest tenure were McNitts, directory lists Charles Krause as treasurer. for a permit to build a new store and offices.Gustave B.Bohm, an The present owner, Bill Dimotsis, has before the Euclid Avenue Opera House opened in 1875.An advertisement a sandwich still on the menu.

six-story brick building, which was estimated to cost $20,0o0.Krause William Krause & Son changed its name to Krause Costume Company in 1920. joined him in the business by1894,when the directory first lists"william NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe, Cleveland, disbanded in the 1920s, a barber shop took over the basement and occupied Partners, the present owner, plans to renovate the upper floors for European Studies, 1973), pp. 116-117. however, give the date of opening as 1892, while the present plaque on for 1894 shows "Moser, Otto F., bottling works" at the Sheriff Street Ibid. Superior Avenue, Cleveland. Housing, Department of Community Development, City Hall. received Inventory-Nomination Form date entered National Register of Historic Places location.

Item number 8 (3-82) Page 3 Carroll University Institute for Soviet & East For NPS use only When Otto Moser's Cheese Club it through the 1940s. The building has also housed a tea room, adver- first lists Otto Moser's saloon in 1895, and Cleveland Division of Building Continuation sheet Cuyahoga County, Ohio &Housing records indicate that William Krause was issued a permit for NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only Item number 7, 8, 12 8.

During the early 20th century, when this property achieved significance, During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cleveland's theater Page Inventory-Nomination Form received National Park Service Continuation sheet Cuyahoga County, Ohio Moser's Cafe significant as the last remnant of Cleveland's original date entered the rear third of the basement;large walk-in coolers the middle tectural and historical integrity of Otto Moser's. National Register of Historic Places William Krause & Son was one of the largest costume companies in United States Department of the Interior walls are unfinished. Cheese Club, or of the barber shop which succeeded remain.The basement, no photograph of it has been included. Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe, Cleveland, (3-82) third; and storage space, and the stairway and elevator to the upper floors of the Krause Building, the front third.

No remnants of the Cleveland. It is stili in business today at 2439 Superior Avenue, Cleveland. 12.Since this nomination makes no claim for the significance of the descends to the basement. district was concentrated on and near Public Square. All of the city's businesses; Krause certainly was, even then, the oldest such company. block Rathskellar,2052 East 4th Street),it lacks the archi- WASO Form - 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe OCT/ I7 1985 Working No. - Fed. Reg. Date: o2 Federal Agency: - - appeal L sample -request Discipline Date Due: _4 _ see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: - _ technical corrections cited below .substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification 4. Owner of Property 5.

Location of Legal Description 7. Description -excellent J unaltered L original site -altered - moved - boundary selection resubmission completeness Accessible REJECT alterations/integrity Category Ownership Condition ruins RETURN Reviewer deteriorated Status Recom./Criteria Substantive Review: clarity 6. Representation in Existing Surveys owner objection good Has this property been determined eligible? Public Acquisition Cuyahoga County summary paragraph Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance Present Use nomination by person or local government NR decision Reviewer's comments: Check one yes National Register ('R" June 1984) unexposed fair 11-14-85 8. Significance Areas of Significance-Check and justify below summary paragraph - other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data 11.

Form Prepared By _national Date Builder/Architect Signed completeness Period context applicable criteria clarity Maps UTM References local State Historic Preservation Officer signature justification of areas checked Verbal boundary description and justification relating significance to the resource relationship of integrity to significance Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to justification of exception Photographs Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Quadrangle name The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Specific dates Acreage of nominated property title - Phone: - state MERCHANDISE GENERAL BAR LEAR Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Carol Poh Miller photograph, March 2072 E.

4th St-, Cleveland, Ohio Facade and north elevation, looking 1985 southwest Negative property of Robert Zimmer, 2042-2044 East 4th Street Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe Photograph #1 of 8 OTTO MOSER HOT David Berg BAR CHICAGO CORNED BEEF Carol Poh Miller photograph, March 2072 E. 4th St., Cleveland, Ohio Facade at ground level, showing 1985 entrances; looking southwest Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Negative property of Robert Zimmer, 2042-2044 East 4th Street Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe Photograph #2 of 8 CAMP OUNT SHOI Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Carol Poh Miller photograph, March 2072 E. 4th St., Cleveland, Ohio East 4th Street, looking north.

(center left, with fire escape) 1985 Photograph shows the context in which the nominated property Negative property of Robert Zimmer, National Historic Landmark) is at the end of the street. is located. 2042-2044 East 4th Street Photograph #3 of 8 The Arcade (1890; Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Carol Poh Miller photograph, March 1985 Negative property of Robert Zimmer, 2042-2044 East 4th Street Balcony at center (above clock) was added in the 1940s. Photograph #4 of 8 2072 E.4th St.,Cleve1and,0hio Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe Carol Poh Miller photograph, March 2072 E. 4th St., Cleveland, Ohio Cafe interior, looking from back to Photograph #5 of 8 1985 front.

Negative property of Robert Zimmer, 2042-2044 East 4th Street Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe Carol Poh Miller photograph, March 1985 Negative property of Robert Zimmer, 2042-2044 East 4th Street ing toward front of building Photograph #6 of 8 2072 E. 4th St., Cleveland, Ohio Third-floor office partitions,look- Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio 2072 E. 4th St., Cleveland, Ohio 1985 Carol Poh Miller photograph, March far right. Negative property of Robert Zimmer, 2042-2044 East 4th Street Fifth-floor hallway and elevator Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe Photograph #7 of 8 Office partitions at Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Carol Poh Miller photograph, March 2072 E. 4th St., Cleveland, Ohio Sixth (top) floor, looking toward front of building. 1985 2042-2044 East 4th Street Photograph #8 of 8 Krause Building - Otto Moser's Cafe stairway are at left.

Hall and Negative property of Robert Zimmer, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CLEVELAND SOUTH QUADRANGLE 6.S MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC UNITED STATES CLEVELAND SOUTH, OHIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Cleveland,Ohio