Nomination for Forest City Bank Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service date entered See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries - complete applicable sections and or common street & number 1400 West 25th Street not for publication - vicinity of - county - district - public X unoccupied - agriculture .museum X building(s) X private - commercial _ both -work in progress . religious in process - yes: unrestricted - government Homer S. Taft 29550 Detroit Avenue courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Ohio Historic Inventory has this property been determined eligible? - yes X no .federal depository for survey records Ohio Historical Society 44145 1976 6. Representation in Existing Surveys National Register of Historic Places 039 Accessible Ownership code Category educational date object Status site state structure local Inventory-Nomination Form Columbus park 1.

Name industrial historic Cleveland 3. Classification Ohio 5. Location of Legal Description Public Acquisition transportation being considered title entertainment 4. Owner of Property military private residence (3-82) Cuyahoga County Administration Building Present Use city, town 2. Location scientific Forest City Bank Building NPS Form 10-900 For NPS use only 1219 Ontario Avenue Cuyahoga received NIA X unaltered : original site _ excellent _ deteriorated X fair .unexposed Street and Detroit Avenue, has a commanding presence when crossing the high degree of integrity and lacks exterior alterations. building's most prominent feature is the rounded bay at the apex of the angle. The building has pier and arch construction with a buff colored pressed brick exterior, with white terra cotta trim.

There are seven major bays fronting on of 1985.Many windows on the upper floors have been boarded up because of this fire, however, the bulldings structural integrity is intact. Condition moved ruins Check one brickwork. 7. Description The building's recessed entrance is flanked by massive granite columns.The The building possesses a high degree of integrity.The building's original The Forest City Bank Building is an excellent example of the Neo-Classical building's bays.The building's first story and outer bays have ribbed Company" is engraved in the terra cotta above the entrance.There are classically inspired wreaths and swags to each side of the name. Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

115 feet on Detroit Avenue and 110 feet on West 25th Street. The bullding is There is a terra cotta stringcourse between the first and second stories, and above the fourth story with a large classically inspired cartouche above the - good date The building,located on the southwest corner of West 25th intact.The building's condition has deteriorated due to a fire in the summer Areas of Significance-Check and justify below - community planning -_ archeology-historic - agriculture _ literature X. architecture . military - music X commerce - philosophy The - communications - politics/government . other (specify) Searles & Hirsh Statement of

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) The Forest City Bank Building is significant because of it's role in commerce and the banking industry, and because of it's architecture. The building was The bank was the main commercial tenant in the building between 1904 and 1920. From 1922 to 1935 the building was occupied by a Cleveland Trust Bank branch. the late 19th and early 20th century. The Forest City Savings and Trust was Grocers), Theodore Kundtz (Theodore Kundtz Sewing Machine Company), Herman Baehr (Mayor of Cleveland, 1901-1911), Christian Schuele (Fries and Schuele Department Store), John Meckes (Merchant, founder of the West Side Citizens commercial architecture. THe building is a good example of the style because neighborhood banks built in Cleveland in the first decade of this century. style was popular with the conservative banking industry.

Among these 1904 (NR 1984), the Georgian Revival style Lake Shore Bank Building, 1903, and these banks reflect the growing wealth and population of Cleveland at the turn sixth largest city in the nation. The building was designed by the architectural firm of Searles and Hirsh. This firm and it's predecessor, Steffens, Searles, and Hirsh (before 1901) 1984). Steffens left the firm in 1901, it was then known as Searles and 1903-1904 1600-1699 1700-1799 1500-1599 1400-1499 1800-1899 engineering archeology-prehistoric Period transportation industry humanitarian science invention Builder/Architect exploration/settlement Feighan. prehistoric sculpture 8. Significance social/ --economics Specific dates the Second Renaissance Revival-Romanesque style Bohemian National Hall,1901 (demolished); and the Spanish Mission style Alhambra Apartment Building,1902.

Criterion C Town House Apartments, 1904; the Mission style Garden Theatre,1904 bank's officers included prominent westsiders such as J.C.Weideman(Weideman ...education League),Frederic W.Gehring of City Hall Commissioners),and John T. X1900- (NR 1975),the Jacobethan style Commercial Building at 5405Detroit Avenue, .art -.conservation .law located in a building at West 25th Street and Jay Avenue (demolished). It was one of a growing number of banks that opened in Cleveland's neighborhoods in organized in a working class neighborhood close to the industrial flats. The Forest City Bank Building is a significant example of Neo-Classical style Six of these buildings were varying examples of the Neo-Classical style.

This Hirsh.Buildings designed by this firm included the Federal Revival style The Forest City Savings and Trust Company was noted institution on the west Cleveland,1896;and the Eclectic Gothic style Plaza Apartments,1901 (NR neighborhood banks were the Classical Revival style Brooklyn Bank Building, Ohio Architect and Builder, June 1903 Cleveland City Directories. leveland South Quadrangle name - Quadrangle scale UT M References Cuyahoga County Permanent #003-28-007 - state John Cimperman, Director Robert Keiser, Preservation Planner Ohio 44114 The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National-Park Service. I heteby certify that this property is included in the National Register Chief of Registration 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References code 10. Geographical Data Easting Zone organization county date Northing 1:24000 Verbal boundary description and justification city or town Cleveland 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification national State Historic Preservation Officer signature Attest: name/title Keeper of the National Register Cleveland Landmarks Commission 11. Form Prepared By Acreage of nominated property Less than one acre List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries For NPs use only Xlocal October 15, 1985 street & number 601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 28 telephone (216) 664-2531 Ohio Deternined Elfgible SHP WASO Form - 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ("R" June 1984) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET APR 2 4 1986 Fed. Reg.

Date: _ Date Due: _ nomination by person or local government Federal Agency: . Jappeal -sample Jrequest Reviewer - Discipline _ Historian _ see continuation sheet _ technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys L yes 7. Description -excellent - unaltered LJ original site - moved summary paragraph Category Ownership dates resubmission Accessible completeness Status deteriorated unexposed Condition ruins fair alterations/integrity REJECT RETURN Action: Cuyahoga County clarity boundary selection Working No.

Nomination returned for: good ACCEPT Forest City Bank Building Reviewer's comments: DOE/OWNER OBJECTION Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance Present Use Check one NR decision Has this property been determined eligible? Substantive Review 613186 8. Significance Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) J summary paragraph - completeness - clarity - applicable criteria -relating significance to the resource - context J relationship of integrity to significance J justification of exception Jl other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification _state _local State Historic Preservation Officer signature Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed GPO 918-450 Comments for any item maybe continued on an attached sheet Builder/Architect Date title Period national Phone Photographs Maps justification of areas checked UTM References The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Section number _ Cuyahoga County, OHIO OWNER OBJECTION WITHDRAWN - NEW OWNER Page Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places Forest City Bank Building OMB Approval Na.

1024-0018 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : NOMINATOR: STATE N PDIL: COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS : 8/30/92 8/14/92 7/28/92 9/11/92 REJECT PROPERTY RETURN DISCIPLINE DATE REVIEWER MULTIPLE OTHER: RECOM./CRITERIA PERIOD: Forest City Bank Building PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: DATE RECEIVED: REASONS FOR REVIEW: DATE OF PENDING LIST: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: DATE OF 16TH DAY: APPEAL:N N SLR DRAFT: N 86003827 NATIONAL: REFERENCE NUMBER: LESS THAN 5O YEARS: _count _resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION _historic _architectural classification _summary paragraph _completeness _clarity _applicable criteria _context _relationship of integrity to significance -justification of exception GEOGRAPHICAL DATA _acreage - verbal boundary description _boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION _presentation FUNCTION materials DESCRIPTION Period Builder/Architect BIBLIOGRAPHY CLASSIFICATION SIGNIFICANCE Date Phone Signed _photographs OTHER COMMENTS Specific dates _sketch maps Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) _current _other USGS maps UTMs Areas of Significance--Check and justify below relating significance to the resource justification of areas checked KIN MOVERS +*398 - 8981 BROOK.LYN BROOKLIT, OHIO CAL AND LONG DISTANCE Corporation arry Madigan 7836 - - APR2 1985 CITY HALL, ROOM 5 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44114 Telephone: (216) 664-2546 and 664-2547 Southwest BUREAU OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES CITY OF CLEVELAND April 1985 EAST 6TH & LAKESIDE AVENUE Cuyahoga County, Ohio Negative on file at City of Forest City Bank Building -398 - 8981 BROOK.LYN BROOKLIT.

OHIO MOVERS 1400 West 25th Street, Cleveland Services, City Hall, Cleveland Telephone : (216) 664- 2546 and 664-2547 EAST CT CITY PALL 7836 - - APR 12 1985 Southwest Cleveland Bureau of Photographic Negative on file at City of Photographer: Warner Thomas Forest City Bank Building CITY OF CLEVELAND April 1985 Cuyahoga County, Ohio Jhotagrupher Marner Chanes North and east facades looking DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) CLEVELAND SOUTH QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CLEVELAND SOUTH, OHIO RECEIVED MAR 1 3 1986 HOMER SHERMAN TAFT ATTORNEY AT LAW TELEPHONE (216) 228-9660 11740 CLIFTON BOULEVARD, SUITE 202 March 5, 1986 W. Ray Luce 1985 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 Re: The Forest City Building 1400 West 25th Street Cleveland, Ohio No. P 285 535 199 Dear Mr.

Luce: and partners in the above-referenced property, object to listing of accordance with the information provided to us in the letter of Mr. Suite 202, Lakewood, Ohio 44107. This correspondence was not for- warded to me by the postal service because it came after my for- We have explored those avenues which we can to determine the found feasible at this time, and since the time within which for Very truly yours feasibility of rehibilitation of the building, but since a sub- on to us, but it was not received at the time of writing. State Historic Preservation Officer Sent Certified Mail (aka Forest City Bank Building), your records reflect that that letter was not received byme at the Act Amendments of 1980 and Federal Regulations 36 CFR Part 60,in of December 17,1985,we must make our objection to the nomination By this letter, Homer S.

Taft and Andrew I Wysocki, the sole owners the partnership is care of my law office at 11740 Cliiton Boulevard, warding order to the postal service had expired. Apparently, on a subsequent attempt at delivery because it was certified, another stantial repair necessary to maintain the property has not been as to each partner confirming this statement. time of its mailing, as it was mailed to an old address of mine which of Historic Places in accordance with National Historic Preservation David A.Simmons dated December i7,1985.I would also request that us to object expires on March 14,1986,in pursuant to the letter County of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, that he objects to nomination as his own free act and deed, that the statements therein are true IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my hand for said county and state, the aforesaid ANDREW Z. WYSOCKI (aka Andrzek Z.

Wysocki), who being first duly sworn, acknowledged 25th Street in the City of Cleveland, County of Cuyahoga, and State and deed, that the statements therein are true as he verily FRANK STERN, Notary Public My Commission Expires Nay 19, 1986 believes. Ohio. Notary Public he has read the foregoing letter and subscribed his name thereto Personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and Section 147.03 R.C. as he verily believes. COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA Building situated at 1400 West 25th Street in the City of Cleveland, first duly sworn, acknowledged and stated that he is the owner of My commission has no expiration date. for said county and state, the aforesaid HOMER S.

TAFT, who being THE STATE OF OHIO of Ohio, that he objects to nomination thereof for listing in a national register of historic places, that he has read the fore- thereof for listing in a national register of historic places, that and stated that he is the owner of an undivided one-half interest in a property known as Forest City Building situated at l400 West Ohio Historic Preservation Office 1985 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 April 18, 1986 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of the Interior 1100 L Street, N.W. Dear Carol : City Bank Building, therefore, 1 am requesting a determination of eligibility expedite this nomination in the listing process. New Submiss ions Forest City Bank Bullding Wood| and Cemetery Aurora Train Station Please contact me if you have any questions.

SOCIETY 614/466-1500 Portage Cuyahoga County Enclosures HISTORICAL Sincerely, WRL:bp State Historic Preservation Office SINCE 1885 of Aurora waiving their right to comment on the Aurora Train Station.Please Enclosed are three new National Register nominations. All of the appropriate notification procedures have been followed for these new submissions. APR 2 4 1986 -DETERMINED ELIGIBLE FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE OHIO NPS REGIONAL OFFICE: Mid-Atlantic State Historic Preservation Officer Dr. W. Ray Luce Ohio Historic Preservation Office 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 1985 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 Location Name Also Notified #809 Ohio Historical Center For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343-9536.

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Cuyahoga County Forest City Bank Building The Old Post Office Building 2 1986 DATE DETERMINED JUN Washington, DC 20004 Ohio Historic Preservation Office Ohio Historical Center 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497 Fax: 297-2411 July 20, 1992 Carol Shull, Chief of Registration National Register of Historic Places National Park Service P.O. Box 37127 Washington, DC 20013-7127 Dear Ms. Shull: Mr. Antonio DiSorio of Cleveland recently submitted to this office a notarized West 25th Street, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio be listed in the National at your earliest convenience. W. Ray Luce State Historic Preservation Officer SOCIETY OHIO 614/297-2470 HISTORICAL Enclosure Antonio DiSorio SINCE 1885 for listing in the Register on June 2,1986.

Jeff Brown, Regional Coordinator, OHPO REGISTER NATIONAL Sincerely, Mr.DiSorio's letter is enclosed for your review.Please consider this matter RECEIVED JUL 1 3 1992 Mr. Antonio Dilorio Cleveland, Ohio (216) 961-3703 July 6, 1992 Ms. Carol Schull, Chief 1985 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 but that the previous owner, Mr. Homer S. Taft, formally this objection lifted and the property listed. 44102 Sincerely, this property placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is my understanding that the property was determined objected to National Register status in 1986. My Commission Expires: forward to having my building placed on the National Register. Your attention to this matter will be most appreciated.

eligible by the Ohio State Historic Preservation National Register of Historic Places I need to send this notarized statement in order to have this landmark building can gain National Register status. I am writing to you to have this objection lifted so that The Ohio Historic Preservation Office has advised me that c/o Ohio Historic Preservation Office 5002 Clark Avenue Iam the current owner of the Forest City Bank Building, Dear Ms. Schull: