Nomination for Duane Block

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service received JUN I 6 1987 See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms and or common 387-401 Broadway street & number -not for publication city, town - vicinity of code OH .unoccupied - public - agriculture _ museum X building(s) & private X commercial - park . structure _both . work in progress _ educational X private residence _ religious in process X yes: restricted - government - scientific - yes: unrestricted . transportation - military _ other: Mrs. Cynthia Robinson courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. 266 Middle Avenue Ohio 44035 6. Representation in Existing Surveys has this property been determined eligible? - yes July, 1987 depository for survey records Lorain County Regional Planning Commission 2.

Location Elyria Accessible Lorain Category county date site Ownership object entertainment industrial district Status Ohio Bratenahl historic Inventory-Nomination Form National Register of Historic Places local being considered Public Acquisition title (3-82) 3. Classification date entered Xstate Lorain County Administration Building 1. Name Type all entries-complete applicable sections Duane Block Ohio Historic Inventory 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description Present Use For NPS use only 277 Bratenahl Road OMB No. 1024-0018 Expires - excellent . deteriorated X original site X altered - moved _ fair downtown Lorain, between the old Cleveland Trust building and a narrow alley. basement which extends underneath Broadway.

The interior decor of the lower level storefronts has been badly damaged over low-hanging drop ceil ing but sections of the original pressed tin pattern al though in varied condition. The most impressive and elaborate feature of the Duane Block is a central interior courtyard in the upper two stories, accessible through a narrow apartments. The size of each apartment differs, some have four, five or even black and white ceramic tile. the rooms are finished with Georgia pine, including solid wooden columns. Condition 7. Description ruins unaltered floor.

The storefronts have been marred over the years as new businesses have marble stairwell near the entrance of the larger storefront.This courtyard cornice.A shed roof covers the apartments but is flat over the remaining Check one The first level consists of two deeply recessed street level storefronts, one facade is elaborate and is indicative of the economic prosperity Lorain tail of the storefronts. Two similar sets of bay windows overlook the alley.An inlaid sandstone section of the courtyard floor is filled with thick block glass which The facade of the Duane is constructed of a warm orange brick and locally still show through.;Remnants of the original light fixtures are also present Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

entered, however the building remains structurally sound. The upper story entablature with a small central pediment. The bay windows have an ornate in the middle of the courtyard allows access to the second floor of the Original brass fixtures remain on many of the apartments' doors and windows. Each apartment contains a gas fireplace and full bath. A-large rectangular date story.Sandstone motifs are symmetrically placed along the top of the The Duane Block is a rectangular three story building located in the heart of the lower half of the courtyard walls just as it does along the walls of the Areas of Significance-Check and justify below -_archeology-prehistoric -- community planning - archeology-historic - agriculture - literature X. architecture . social/ . theater -. communications - politics/government - transportation - other (specify) Statement of

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) landmark to Lorain. Most notably, the Duane Block was home to some of the larger storefront was filled with the Metzger and Robinson Clothing large shopping malls. In addition, the Duane's elaborate design attracted some of Lorain's most elite residents. However, during the Great Depression, the Metzger and into the larger. Both stores remained there until the early 1970's. Furthermore, the Duane's design is a result of Lorain's bustl ing economy at Initially, the proposed building was to cost $45,000, but then details were finishing and sumptuous frosted windows are indicative of Lorain's wealth at the shipyards located along the mouth of the Black River. At the turn of the century, Lorain's economy could afford the luxury of such an elaborate historical point of view, is that the Duane is one of the few remaining buildings designed by Hamilton E. Ford,active ca.

1889-1912, one of Lorain's turn of the century, Mr. Ford designed a number of commercial structures along Miller Block, Pierce Block and the Wickens Block, all of which have since been architecture. His impact upon the early formation of Lorain is (1897) and Firehouse #1 (1911) are known works of Ford's which remain today as 1906 1400-1499 1700-1799 1500-1599 1600-1699 invention industry humanitarian 8. Significance prehistoric military Specific dates --economics --science .conservation -engineering _music X_1900- Broadway.Examples of his work in downtown Lorain include the Lorain expanded into the smaller storefront.Metzger and Robinson's was one of the Criteria A and C .sculpture -..education -law X commerce - philosophy Hamilton E. Ford There are a number of reasons why the Duane Block building is a significant Lorain's finest department stores.

When the Duane Block first opened in 1906, consumer goods which are now usually found in present day department stores at Hageman Shoe Company filled the smaller storefront and the Bond Clothing moved the time of construction. No building along Broadway, now or then, equals the that time. This wealth was created by the numerous manufacturing plants and residential and commercial structure. Therefore, many Lorainites consider Perhaps the most important aspect of the Duane Block's significance, from a time businesses and added to the downtown's distinctive commercial Lorain. In addition to the Duane, only the General Office of U.S. Steel examples of his fine artisanship. this structure reminiscent of the town's industrial power and heritage. 1800-1899 Period Builder/Architect exploration/settlement Company.The smaller storefront was occupied by Bretz's Books and Music.

_art 01-01-004-101-013, measuring 60 x 200' on the east side of Broadway opposite the intersection of Broadway and Fourth Street in the City of Lorain, Ohio - state Anthony L. Love, Intern Dept. of Community Development date July 23, 1986 200 West Erie Ave/5th Floor street & number Ohio 44052 _ national . local 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated State Historic Preservation Officer signature 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References 11. Form Prepared By date code Easting Lorain county organization Northing Zone Attest: Verbal boundary description and justification 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification name/title 10. Geographical Data List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: UTM References Black River Historical Society-Conversation with Al Doane,6/19/86 construction of the Duane) telephone (216) 245-1010 The Duane Block is located on permanent parcel numbers 2-01-004-101-012 and Chief of Registration 7-16-8 city or town For NPs use only Quadrangle name - according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service!

I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 Quadrangle scale _1:24000 NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Duane Block, Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio Lastly, the Duane is one of the few buildings which survived the tornado of 1924 the other downtown buildings. Page National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 relatively unscathed. It was then that Lorain's worst natural disaster struck and wiped out a major portion of the downtown buildings.

Although the Duane did not sustain a direct hit, its sturdy, turn of the century construction enabled it to withstand damage caused by the flying debris and forceful winds which destroyed many of (8-86) WASO Form - 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ('R" June 1984) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Fed. Reg. Date: nomination by person or local government Federal Agency: _ -appeal -sample J request - NR decision _ see continuation sheet _technical corrections cited below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys 7.

Description J deteriorated J unaltered L original site J excellent J ruins summary paragraph Category resubmission moved completeness Accessible Condition REJECT Ownership Reviewer unexposed fair Recom./Criteria alterations/integrity Status boundary selection clarity RETURN Duane Block Discipline. Substantive Review: Lorain County Nomination returned for: Working No. owner objection Describe the present and original (if known)physical appearance Has this property been determined eligible?

_substantive reasons discussed below Reviewer's comments: Present Use Check one NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Date Due: yes dates LACCEPT good JUN 16.1987 8700124 Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) J summary paragraph - completeness _J applicable criteria Jjustification of areas checked Jrelating significance to the resource relationship of integrity to significance -justification of exception J other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name_ UTM References 11. Form Prepared By 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: State Historic Preservation Officer signature - Date - - Photographs Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to - Signed ._ - Phone: GPO 918-450 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet context Builder/Architect title Maps clarity local _state Specific dates 8. Significance Verbal boundary description and justification Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Period national Leile GEO.P. BRETZ 237 THE METZGER & ROBINSON CO..239 CLOTHING MEBIK Lorain, Ohio Date: Circa. 1912 Dept. of Community Development Lorain, OH 44052 Front View -- Photo 1 Duane Block Photograph Negative at: 200 West Erie Avenue/5th Floor LORAIN MARINE Lorain, Ohio Photographer: Joyce Ferlic Arredondo, Associate Date: May 27, 1985 Dept.

of Community Development Lorain, OH 44052 Duane Block Planner Photograph Negative at: 200 West Erie Avenue/5th Floor Front View -- Photo 2 OUTBOARDS Lorain, Ohio Photographer: Joyce Ferlic Arredondo, Associate Date: May 27, 1985 Dept. of Community Development Lorain, OH 44052 Planner Duane Block Photograph Negative at: 200 West Erie Avenue/5th Floor South Side Overlooking Alley-- Photo 3 Lorain, Ohio Photographer: Joyce Ferlic Arredondo, Associate Date: May 27, 1985 Lorain, OH 44052 Planner Duane Block Photograph Negative at: Dept. of Community Development 200 West Erie Avenue/5th Floor Rear View -- Photo 4 Lorain, Ohio Date: May 27, 1985 Dept.

of Community Development Lorain, OH 44052 North East View of Rear -- Photo 5 Duane Block Planner 200 West Erie Avenue/5th Floor Photographer: Joyce Ferlic Arredondo, Associate Photograph Negative at: Lorain, Ohio Date: July 14, 1986 Lorain, OH 44052 Photo 6 Duane Block 200 West Erie Avenue/5th Floor Interior of Atrium Courtyard & Staircase Dept. of Community Development Photograph Negative at: Photographer: Tony Love, Intern Lorain, Ohio Date: July 14, 1986 Dept. of Community Development Photo 7 Duane Block Interior View of 2nd Level of Stairs 200 West Erie Avenue/5th Floor Photograph Negative at: Lorain, OH 44052 Lorain, Ohio Date: July 14, 1986 Dept.

of Community Development Lorain, OH 44052 Duane Block Interior View of Main Staircase in Atrium Photograph Negative at: 200 West Erie Avenue/5th Floor Courtyard -- Photo 8 Photographer: Tony Love, Intern LORAIN, OHIO 17 401725 4591100 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LORAIN QUADRANGLE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNITED STATES UTM REFERENCE: DUANE BLOCK JUN 1 6 1987 82*07 30 STATE OF OHIO 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) OHIO-LORAIN CO. Ohio Historic Preservation Office 1985 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 June 11, 1987 Ms. Carol Shul1, Chief P.O. Box 37127 Al1 of the appropriate notification procedures have been followed for the new Montgomery "Saltbox" Houses Conner, Alexander, House Please contact me if you have any questions. W.

Ray Luce WRL : ael SOCIETY Lorain 614/297-2470 Geauga County Enclosures Greene Resubmission Hamilton Sincerely Batavia House HISTORICAL New Submissions Duane Block National Park Service State Historic Preservation Office National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior SINCE 1885 Dear Carol: Enclosed are 3 new National Register nominations and 1 resubmitted nomination.