Nomination for Lorain Fire Station No. 1

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service JUL 2 31987 (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1. Name of Property historic name other names/site number 2. Location street & number 605 West 4th Street N/Anot for publication city, town N/A vicinity zip code 3. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property _private X building(s) X public-local J public-State Jpublic-Federal Structure _ Total Name of related multiple property listing: Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register - 4.

State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this In my opinion, the property Signature of certifying official State or Federal agency and bureau Signature of commenting or other official 5. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby, certify that this property is: /entered in the National Reaister. J See continuation sheet. Jdetermined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) Date of Action National Register of Historic Places Registration Form Lorain site REGISTER Date NATIONAL district Noncontributing RECEIVED state Ohio object (Rev. 8-86) Lorain Fire Station #1 093 8-20-87 6.

Function or Use Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Government/Fire Station 7. Description Materials (enter categories from instructions) (enter categories from instructions) foundation Sandstone Describe present and historic physical appearance. Located near the intersection of Fourth and Washington, Fire Station #1 served Lorain's fire fighting needs for more than sixty years. The two story, yellow surrounding residential environment and enhanced the neighborhood's The facade of the two story building consists of a small columned porch . doors for the fire trucks. A large dormer window projects out from the hip roof on the second story over the small porch, further enhancing this building's residential character.

Three large three part Chicago style windows, also on the second floor, 1ook out onto Fourth Street and overlook Washington Memorial Park. Two rows of windows are on both the east and west sides of the building. The tablet, also on the front facade, is inscribed "Fire Station #1". Originally, the roof was shingled with a red tiling and had a series of small altered in 1969 to accommodate the larger equipment. A major portion of the first floor was given over to the fire equipment, roof other Asphalt Brick Commerce/Trade/Bank walls Church.

a modern shopping plaza and an elegant but imposing First Congregational sandstone motifs are symetrically placed on the facade.A sandstone inlaid Architectural Classification Colonial Revival casual bungalow design is illustrative of Mr.Ford's sensitivity to the See continuation sheet reinforce the building and announce its civic including a small workshop and hose tower.A west wing was specifically brick Fire Station was designed by Hamilton E.Ford and adheres to a simple 55' x 65' rectangular shape floor plan. When the building was completed in 1912, it was located in a residential neighborhood. Thus, the building's arching brick pattern above the window. Smaller residential style windows 1ook out from the second floor. Subtle brick pillars on the corners visually dormer windows along the east side.

Unfortunately, the roof was badly damaged during the tornado of 1924 and was replaced with a less distinctive shingled Initially both swing doors were the same rounded height and decorated with a protruding sandstone motif above. However, as modern equipment became larger and the City's fire fighting needs grew, the east swing door was first level of windows are rectangularly framed but simply decorated by an NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Lorain Fire Station #1, Lorain, Lorain County, OH Section number - designed to serve as a meeting room and polling place for the once prominent and the Fire Chief's office. In the mid-1970's a newer, more modern fire station was constructed along of downtown Lorain, Elyria Savings and Trust is spending nearly $1,500,000 on exterior appearance consistent with its original use.

Page Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places Black River Township Trustees who owned the1and onwhich the#1 Fire Station was built. The second floor served as the firemen's dormitory, reading room, the project. Every effort is being made to keep the building's interior and purchased the building and is in the process of renovating it into a modern (8-86) branch office.In an effort to announce their commitment to the revialization 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates Cultural Affiliation Hamilton E. Ford State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. The #1 Fire Station is a historical landmark to the community for several once solid residential neighborhood in which it was situated. More designed by Hamilton E. Ford. In early 1911, the City's Service Director, Mr. Safer Walkinshaw, recommended 1901 and December 24, 1901. Most of the building's residents were safely brought out. Unfortunately, when it was discovered that four people had perished, including a woman and her two Z See continuation sheet 1905-1912 Architecture Government Architect/Builder Significant Person sprang up along Broadway during the building boom at the turn of the century.

Period of Significance After serving as city hall, school and jail, in addition to a fire station, 1905,it spread quickly.Only the shel1 of the building was left in place. handle the fire fighting needs of newer and larger commercial buildings which Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) of community pride. In addition, its distinctive design is indicative of the fire fighters picked through the rubble to investigate the cause of the fire, As a result, funds were later allocated to construct a new fire station and equip it with Lorain's fire motorized vehicle. significant is the fact that it is one of the few remaining works known to be It was speculated that such a rapid pace of construction contributed to the that the city build a new fire station to upgrade the city's insurance rating.

Part of this building boom was the rapid construction of the Verbeck Theater, theater's fatal fire.When fire broke out in the early hours of December 17, 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Lorain Times-Herald, June 30, 1911, November 21, 1911, and January 8, 1912 Conversation with Al Budka, August 11, 1986, former firefighter. ] See continuation sheet Previous documentation on file (NPS): N/A Jpreliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) Primary location of additional data: has been requested X] State historic preservation office previously listed in the National Register Other State agency previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # Jrecorded by Historic American Engineering 10. Geographical Data UTM References 4,591 10,0 Verbal Boundary Description measuring 66 x 110 feet on the south side of Fourth Street, opposite Memorial Boundary Justification 11.

Form Prepared By name/title - Tony Love, Intern Department of Community DeveLopment _ telephone - city or town state Ohio _ zip code 44052 216/245-1010 Northing organization University Other Local government Specify repository: August 1986 Federal agency The nominated property includes the extent of the historic resource. Easting The Fire Station#1is located on permanent parcel number 2-01-005-106-002, Record # (local newspaper describing the Fire Station) Acreage of property less than one. CLL Park in the City of Lorain, Ohio. street & number. 200 W. Erie Avenue/5th Floor Lorain date Zone NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service After much heated debate, Council allocated $10,000 for a new #1 Fire Station build a 20 x 20 community room for the Black River Township Trustees, important governing body for the surrounding township, in exchange for equipment, including a modern motorized aerial truck and chemical wagon. this claim, the need to construct a fire station with such modern equipment to Lorain's industrial heritage. building's brick pillars and bell tower clearly inform the observer of its architect, Hamilton E. Ford. Lorain Block. Al1 were built before 1905 but have since been demolished. Today only the General Office of the U.S. Steel Corporation (1896-97), the diversified application of popular architectural styles, relying heavily upon classical motifs and varied brickwork to provide texture and detailing.

Interestingly, the #1 Fire Station is one of the few buildings which narrowly escaped the tornado of 1924. On June 15, 1924, the worst natural disaster in Lorain's history struck with a vengance, wiping out major sections of done to the Fire Station was easily repaired. National Register of Historic Places (8-86) Continuation Sheet symbolized Lorain's emerging status as a major industrial city and is a link distinctive public buildings.No other civic building equals the #1 Fire Perhaps more significant is that this building is one of Lorain's most Lorain Fire Station #1, Lorain, Lorain County, OH Section number The new #1 Fire Station was so well designed and equipped that it could easily rival any found in Cleveland, so claimed the local newspaper. Regardless of purpose. It is a further tribute to the quality work produced by Lorain's In addition, Mr.

Ford was one of Lorain's earliest professional architects at Lorain include the Wickens Block, the Pierce Block, the Miller Block, and the tornado, and toppled onto the nearly #1 Fire Station. Fortunately, the damage the turn of the century. Other prominent examples of Mr. Ford's work in downtown. The First Congregational Church sustained a direct hit by the Page with the surrounding neighborhood at the time of construction.Yet the to be built on the same site as the original Fire Station.The City agreed to Duane Block the #1 Fire Station remain.His work shows a permission to build on that site.An additional $18,000was allocated for NPS Form 10-800-8 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Lorain Fire Station #l, Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio 1s a simple two story, rectangular structure constructed of pressed yellow brick and there was no bungalow style porch, dormer windows or roof.

is missing, the rest is badly marred. Very little of the building's original character Page remains. Continuation sheet Item number Inventory-Nomination Form National Park Service National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior for the Lorain Fire Department. The #l Fire Station is Lorain's most eloquent example of the bungalow style and no other Presently the old #3 Station sits in a deteriorated area and serves as a night club.Over Only the old #3 Fire Station resembles the design of the #l Station. Built in 1919, it city-owned facility comes close to matching its architectural integrity.

The #l Station was built and equipped to protect the downtown commercial core and served as headquarters sandstone trim.It had two rounded garage doors similar to the #l Fire Station.However, (3-82) Lorain Fire Station #1, Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio Historic photograph - date unknown WASO Form - 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ('R" June 1984) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Lorain Fire Station No. 1 Fed. Reg. Date: 2/2/82 Date Due: - nomination by person or local government owner objection Federal Agency: _ -appeal -sample LJ NR decision Reviewer's comments: Reviewer _ Discipline _ see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: _technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Present Use Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? 7. Description Jexcellent - deteriorated - unaltered - original site - moved J unexposed summary paragraph ruins 87001374 Accessible dates yes REJECT resubmission request Category Ownership Status fair completeness RETURN Recom./Criteria alterations/integrity Lorain County Substantive Review: boundary selection Working No. Condition Describe the present and original (if known)physical appearance good Check one clarity JUL 23 1987 Datered in thAction: National Begister 8. Significance Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) -summary paragraph J applicable criteria justification of exception Other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name 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 Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to - GPO 918-450 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet completeness context Date clarity Period Signed title national Phone Maps Photographs local justification of areas checked Verbal boundary description and justification UTM References relating significance to the resource Builder/Architect _state relationship of integrity to significance Lorain, OH Photo taken by Tony Love, Intern August 15, 1986 Lorain, OH 44052 View of exterior facade facing 4th St. 5th Floor-City Hall #1 Fire Station 200 W. Erie Ave. Photo #1 Branch Bank Faciity For ELYRIA SAVINGS & TRUST NATIONAL BANK Lorain, OH August 15, 1986 #1 Fire Station 200 W. Erie Ave.

View of exterior facade facing 4th St. Photo taken by Tony Love, Intern 5th Floor-City Hall Photo #2 Lorain, OH 44052 Lorain, OH August 15, 1986 Lorain, OH 44052 5th Floor-City Hall #1 Fire Station View of rear entrance Photo taken by Tony Love, Intern 200 W. Eire Ave. Photo #3 Lorain, OH Photo taken by Tony Love, Intern August 15, 1986 Lorain, OH 44052 View of rear entrance 5th Floor-City Hall #l Fire Station 200 W. Erie Ave. Photo #4 NO.1 FIRESTATION LORAIN QUADRANGLE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ROAD CLASSIFICATION DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LORAIN, OHIO UTM REFERENCE: STATE OF OHIO OHIO-LORAIN CO.

DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 17 401460 4591100 DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) Mapped, edited, and published by the Geological Survey UNITED STATES Ohio Historic Preservation Office 1985 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 SINCE 1885 21 July 1987 Ms. Carol Shul1, Chief Washington Avenue Historic District Please contact me if you have any questions. W. Ray Luce WRL: ael SOCIETY Lorain Enclosures HISTORICAL Sincerely Lorain Fire Station New Submissions Dear Carol: 614/297-2470 notification procedures have been followed for these new submissions. Van Horn Building Enclosed are 3 new National Register nominations.Al1 of the appropriate State Historic Preservation Office JUL 2 3 1987 P.O. Box 37127 Washington, D.C. 20013-7127 County National Park Service ECEIV Department of the Interior National Register of Historic Places