Nomination for O'Neil's Department Store

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900 OCT 2 3 1990* for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets 1. Name of Property 2. Location Classification X building(s) _structures _ objects State/Federal Agency Certification Signature of commenting or other official 5. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby, certify that this property is: Xentered in the National Register. Register. - See continuation sheet.

determined not eligible for the other, (explain:) - 44308 site vicinity REGISTER district 10-14-90 public-local Akron Ohio Date private NATIONAL State Total 226-250 South Main Street Registration Form zip code Category of Property Number of contributing resources previously Noncontributing historic name removed from the National Register. not for publication determined eligible for the National National Register of Historic Places O'Neil's Department Store other names/site number Ownership of Property Number of Resources within Property State or Federal agency and bureau Name of related multiple property listing: National Park Service -Federal listed in the National Register O See continuation sheet.

Signature of certifying official United States Department of the Interlor street & number As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. Conttibuting National Register Date of Action South Main Street at State Street code SUM the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, city, town In my opinion, the property county Summit nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the 7Signature of the Keeper Lnterod in the Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) 7.

Description The foundation other - East and South, and are of limestone on the first and second floors, and terra-cotta Streets) - The interior features high plaster ceilings in the retail areas, with ornamentation Concrete Vacant Architcctural Classification Describe present and historic physical appearance. Commerce/Department Store A renovation project was undertaken in 1984. The construction included the conversion elevations have steel double-hung windows. The remaining openings on the East elevation are single-hung windows. The two brick categories from instructions) shallow balconies on scrolled brackets occur along the third floor belt course, where terra-cotta parapet. windows which are divided into four equal spaces, each with panes four high and four wide.

classical motifs detailed in glazed terra-cotta, string and belt courses, shallow Materials (enter categories from instructions) balconies begin on the corner to the North elevation, and are featured on the East and transportation is by a system of elevators and escalators.

retail office space on the lower three floors, and conversion of the upper three floors The structural system framing is cast in place concrete frame, with one way concrete shop windows are enclosed in cement block.The second story features cast iron framed new elevators which provide access to the upper floor offices, the consolidation of Second Renaissance Revival Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) bands of paired windows run between pillars to a string course at the fifth story.The Exterior remodeling was limited to the street level South facade.The East elevation roof _Other: Composition 1946,and an annex to the rear elevation) in 1948. The primary elevations are X See continuation sheet 6. Function or Use - Renaissance Revival Style, is O'Neil's Department Store, constructed in 1928 in the was three stories. walls on floors three through six.

The North and West elevations are of brick. The foundation on beams and column capitals. The walls are of plaster and metal lath. The flooring a six story building which covers 2.33 acres. When constructed, the rear West elevation to commercial office space.The construction did include the partition of office space. Limestone, terra-cotta project was a new entrance and lobby off South Main Street.The construction included joist.The roof is flat with built up roof membrane, surrounded by a brick and of the North side of the building for office use. Included in the United States Department of the Interior Continuation Sheet O'Neil's Department Store, Akron, Ohio, Summit County Page Natlonal Park Service by steam heat with air conditioning.Lighting is retrofitted flourescent to serve Section number 7 the many different departments of the store.

Natlonal Register of Hlstorlc Places Original service elevators exist from the fifth to sixth floors.The building isheated NPS Form 10-900 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Period of Significance Community Planning and Development Graham, Anderson, Probst & White Architects the company's flagship store, with 780,000 square feet of floor space. It served as an new location, helping to establish Main Street as a viable business section of downtown scope of the business was also rapidly expanded until O'Neil's became the largest depart- St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. 0'Neil served the store in an advisory capacity for one year, an active role in business, civic, religious and charitable organizations. opened to the public on March 13, 1928. including Polsky's Department Store, which remained O'Neils major 1928-1940 Akron. Commerce Significant Person Significant Dates company to build a major department store in downtown Akron.

O'Neil's downtown store was Cultural Affiliation Carmichael Construction Company Architect/Builder several blocks south of the established business district.Construction of the new role in influencing the expansion and development of Akron's Central Business District.

and the subsequent business success of the O'Neil's department store played a leading The new O'Neil's store attracted other businesses to the southern end of Main Street, the southwest corner of Market and Main Streets.After ten years of successful Fifteen years after the sale of O'Neil's to the May Company, the M.O'Neil Company was before leaving the firm.Thereafter, Mr.O'Neil remained a prominent member of the Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) in need ofa larger store.Company officials purchased property for a new building building began in 1927,and 0'Neil's six story,$3.l million department store was XX See continuation sheet ment store in Ohio.In 19l2,O'Neil's was sold to the May Department Store Company of -nationally XX locally Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above.

The M. 0'Neil Company was Akron's largest department store chain and was the first operation, they had outgrown their original store, and in 1899, they moved their business statewide Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: Applicable National Register Criteria six story building was completed in 1928,ata cost of $3.1 million.Its construction In 1890,Mr.Dyas died and the name of the firm was changed to M.0'Neil& Company.The United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Natlonal Register of Historlc Places Continuation Sheet O'Neil's Department Store, Akron, Ohio, Summit County south to Exchange Street, more than one-half mile from the Market-Main Street location of 0'Neil and Dyas' original dry goods store. Main Street was the Akron Civic Theater in 1929.

This 3,000 seat theater, designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival Style, was listed on the National Register in 19/3. Store that was built in 1930. This gray terra-cotta building, designed in the Art Deco Style, housed 0'Neil's major competition for retail trade from its opening in 80 W. Center Street, just to the north of 0'Neil's, opened in 1931. This 16 story building opened to the public on March 10, 1931, and occupies a full city block. Designed in the Art Deco Style, with bracketed terra-cotta balconies and geometric The Mayflower Hotel, now known as the Mayflower Manor House, was opened in 1931. From by the firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, the architects of the O'Neil's Department Store. The M. 0'Neil Company was a full-line department store.

In addition to its downtown downtown O'Neil's, however, was the company's flagship store, and at the time of tts the building's lower levels, and the upper three and one-half floors were converted into ornament of contrasting colored glazed tile in the upper parapets, makes the Y.M.c.A. a $9.38 million renovation of the building.Retailing activities were consolidated to an anchor for the southern end of Akron's Central Business District, the development construction of a new entrance and lobby on South Main Street was completed.New elevators The O'Neil's building was designed in the Neo-Renaissance Revival Style byithe store was Carmichael Construction of Akron.

stores puts it in the heart of the shopping district".The Mayflower was also designed new Main Street business spurred by O'Neil's had extended Akron's business district Building an impressive structure.It'was listed on the National Register in 1980. Significant construction that followed O'Neil's opening at its new location on South architects of Cleveland's Terminal Tower (N.R.76).The contractor for the O'Neil's providing access to the upper floors were also included in the renovation. its opening in 193l until the mid 1960's, the Mayflower was known as Akron's best hotel. square foot building,connected toa130,432gross square foot parking deck and of which it helped to shape over fifty years ago. In May Department Stores of the M.0'Neil NPS Form 10-000~ Section number - Page competition from its opening in 1930 to its closing in 1978.

By the early 1930's, the As such, it hosted most of the city's important social events. As stated on its Ohio store, 0'Neil's had expanded to include three branch stores in the Akron area. closing, the only department store in downtown Akron. 0'Neil's Department Store was warehouse structure. (OHI SUM 399-16) The Young Men's Christian Association, at store, which had been operating at a loss. The conversion of the portion of the facility Directly across from O'Neil'son South Main Street is the former Polsky's Department NP& Form 10-8004 United States Department of the Interlor Natlonal Register of Historlc Places O'Neil's Department Store, Akron, Ohio, Summit County - Page 3 However, the store never again achieved the success it once enjoyed. O'Neil's closed its retail operation at this store in 1989.

Contlnuatlon Sheet to raze the annex and expose the canal ina park setting have been developed. Natlonal Park Servlce Section number _ 8 The 1948 annex building is built over a portion of the Ohio Canal. Plans X See continuation sheet preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) X State historic preservation office X/previously determined eligible by the National Register E.O. 11593 16 - March 1983 10.

The rest of the file

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

Geographical Data 11. Form Prepared By _ date_July 5, 1990 organization George Dobrea & Associates _telephone (216) 779-0020 street & number 631 Leader Building _ state _ zip code44114 University property. Zone Northing Other Local government Federal agency John Cimperman Department of Planning and Urban Development. previously listed in the National Register Boundary Justification UTM References 9.

Major Bibliographical References Northwest corner of South Main Street and State Streets with a street address recorded by Historic American Buildings Verbal Boundary Description designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Engineering has been requested Previous documentation on file (NPS): The boundary includes both parcels historically associated with the nominated Specify repository: Other State agency of 226-250 South Main Street Primary location of additional data: Ohio Historic Inventory SUM 287-16M.0'Neil Company, March 1980 Grismer, Survey # Zone Easting name/title Acreage of property Less than l acre Kaul H.,Akron & Summit County,1952p.275,279,430 City of Record #_ city or town Cleveland Determination of elegibility Case report and memorandum of agreement.O'Neil's Department Store Renovation Natlonal Park Service Natlonal Register of Historlc Places O'Neil's Department Store, Akron, Ohio, Summit County PARCEL 1 KNOWN as part of Lot C in the Town Plat of South Akron as surveyed and numbered by Joshua Henshaw, Surveyor, and recorded in the Recoprds of Portage County, Ohio, Book H, pages 18, 19 and 20 and in the transcribed Record of Plats of Sunmit County, Ohio, on page 4 and also a part Ordinance Records, Volume 6, page 545.

Center Street, which point is distant two hundred sixteen (216) feet northwesterly from the feet to a point; thence southwesterly parallel to the westerly line of South Main Street CONTAINING 6307.5 square feet, more or less. SITUATED in the City of Akron, County of Summit and State of Ohio and known as a strip of land of garden alley when produced northerly.

intersection of the westerly line of South Main Street and the southerly line of Contlnuatlon Sheet line of the railroad track thereon will extend diagonally by curve from a point in the northeast line; thence northwesterly along the said northerly line of West State STreet twenty-nine Summit and State of Ohio, separately bounded and described in accordance with a Plat of Survey across the premises of Grantee (formerly of J.F.Seiberling)situated on the west side.of West Center Street,measured along the southerly line of West Center Street,twenty-nine (29) PARCEL II boundary line of land of Grantee (formerly J.F.

Seiberling) eight feet west of the west line BEGINNING at a point in the northerly line of West State point is one hundred ofvacated West State Street as duly vacated by Ordinance of the Council of the City of Akron, Unlted States Dopartmont of the Interlor NPS Porm 10-4004 ALL THOSE TWO (2) certain pieces or parcel so land situated in the City of Akron, County of prepared by Kenneth Jensen and Associates, Engineers and Surveyors, dated April 13, 1983 two hundred seventeen and five-tenths (217.5) feet to a point on the southerly line of West two hundred seventeen and five tenths (217.5) feet to the place of beginning.

South Main Street in said city of Akron, sixteen feet in width at grade of track for the location of and iperation of one railroad track, said strip of land so located that the center eighty seven (187) feet distant northwesterly from the intersection of the westerly line of as follows: boundary line of the land of Grantee J.F.Seiberling) to a point in the southerly Natlonal Register of Historlc Places O'Neil's Department Store, Akron, Ohio 1983-984 Summit County Town Plat of South Akron as surveyed and numbered by Joshua Henshaw, Surveyor, and recorded in the Records of Portage County, Ohio, Book H, pages 18, 19 and 20 and in the Transcribed Record of Plats of Sumit County, Ohio, page 4, more particularly described as follows: Ordinance REcords, Volume 6, page 545 all of which is bounded and described as fillows: the southerly line of the original M.

O'Neil Company building to a point, said point being Thence S 63° 08' 40"E 165.00feet along the southerly line of West Center STreet to Kenneth W. Jensen, Registered Surveyor No.

4869 Natlonal Park Servlce Continuatlon Sheet Thence S 26°59' 20"W 217.45 feet along the westerly line of South Main Street to the said strip of land being a part of vacated West STate Street as vacated by Ordinance of the a point in the westerly line of Main Street; place of beginning and containing 0.8237 acres of land as surveyed in May,1989 by and the westerly line of South Main Street (99 feet); the southeasterly corner of Garden Alley in the southerly line of West Center Street A.All of lots 16,17 and 18 as shown on said Town Plat Unlted States Department of the Interlor Situated in the City of Akron, County of Summit and State of Ohio, beoing a part of the Council of the City of Akron, OHio, passed on June 10, 1895, and recorded in Akron City Section number 10 Page _. 2 LEGAL DESCRIPTION PARCEL 1 MAY 19, 1989 B.

A strip of land 19.5 feet in width lying inmediately southerly of contiguous with Lot 18, Beginning at the intersection of the existing northerly line of West State Street (60 feet) Thence N63° 09' 10" W 165.00 feet along said northerly line of West State Street and Thence N 26°59'20"E 217.47 feet along the easterly line of Garden Alley to a point NPS Form 10-4004 United States Department of the Interlor O'Neil's Department Store, Akron, Ohio, Summit County Situated in the City of Akron, County of Summit and State of Ohio, being a part of the Town Plat of South Akron, as surveyed and numbered by Joshua Henshaw, Surveyor, and recorded in the Records of Portage County, Ohio, Book H, pages 18, 19 and 20 and in the Transcribed Record of Plats of Summit County, Ohio, page 4, more particularily A. Part of Lot C as shown on said Town plat. B.

A strip of land 19.5 feet in width, lying immediately southerly of and continguous by Ordinance of the Council of the City of Akron, Ohio, passed on June 10, 1895, and recorded in Akron City Ordinance Records, Volume 6, page 545. All of which is bounded and described as follows: Thence N 63° 9'20", E 185' along siad northerly line of West State Street, and southerly line of the original M. O'Neil Company building to a point, said being Street (20 feet); the true place of beginning, and containing 0.0100 acres of land (434.96 S.F.) as surveyed in May 1989, by Kenneth W. Jensen, Registered Surveyor No. 4869.

point; beginning for the parcel herein described; northwesterly corner of said Garden Alley; Beginning at the intersection of the existing northerly line of West State Street Continuation Sheet the southwesterly corner of Garden feet),and the true place of the Thence S 63°8'40",E 2'along the southerly line West Center Street to the Natlonal Park Service (60 feet),and the westerly line of South Main feet); Thence N 63°9'10",W2'along the northerly 1ineof West State Street toa Natlonal Register of Historlc Places described as follows: Thence N 26° 59'20"E 217.48' to a point in the southerly line of West Center Thence S 26° 59'20", W 217.48' along the westerly line of said Garden Alley to NPS Form 10-000-8 Akron, Ohio Photographer: Bruce S. Ford, Department of Planning, City of Akron Date of Photographs: April, 1990 Building, Akron, Ohio. OH No.

1 - East elevation, looking south OH No. 2 - North elevation, looking west OH No. 4 - South elevation, looking north OH No. 6 - Detail east & south, elevation 6th floor OH No. 7 - Detail east & south, elevation 2nd & 3rd floors OH No. 9 - Interior main floor - street level OH No. 11- Interior upper floor, appearance 5th floor OH No. 12- Interior 6th floor, rear section Continuation Sheet INDEX TO PHOTOGRAPHS National Register of Historic Places Summit Co-nty OH No.8-Interior detail-Ceiling and column capitals National Park Service Negatives stored at the Department of Planning and Urban Development,40l Municipal OH No.5-Detail south elevation,5th & 6th floors OH No.10- Service escalators -5th & 6th floors 0'Nei1's Department Store,226-250 South Main Street United States Department of the Interior OMB Approval Na.1024-0018 O'NEILS DEPART. STORE STATE ST. OFFICE BLDG.

*GARDEN ALLEY RUNS WEST NORTH UNDER BLDG. CENTER ST. O'NEILS DEPARTMENT STORE EAST 3 STORIES MAIN ST 3 LEVEL PARKING DECK WATERS ST. STATE ST. BOWERY ST.

RAMP SUMMIT NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF 45TH DAY: NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N SLR DRAFT: N COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: 10/23/90 12/07/90 11/22/90 DATE MULTIPLE DISCIPLINE RECOM./CRITERIA OTHER: NATIONAL: REVIEWER DATE RECEIVED: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N National Register APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: REJECT RETURN _resource type -historic _current _materials _summary paragraph _completeness _applicable criteria _justification of areas checked _context _justification of exception _acreage _verbal boundary description boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION _photographs _presentation FUNCTION other Period clarity DESCRIPTION BIBLIOGRAPHY Builder/Architect SIGNIFICANCE CLASSIFICATION Specific dates Date Phone descriptive text GEOGRAPHICAL DATA architectural classification relationship of integrity to significance Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION OTHER COMMENTS _sketch maps Areas of Significance--Check and justify below relating significance to the resource Statement of Significance one paragraph) USGS maps Signed _count UTMS O'Niel's DepArtmeNt store AKRON, OHIO SUmmIT COUNTy, OHIO Bruce S.Ford.

Photographer CITY OF AKRON O'Niel's Department store AKRON, OHIO Summit COUNTy Bruce S. Ford, Photographos 375-2268 CITY OF AKRON 4/90 O'viel's Department store AKrON, OHIO druce S. Ford, Photographos CITY OF AKRON 375-2268 SUmmIT COUNTy CITY OF AKRON 375-2268 AKYow,ONto Bruce S. Ford, Photeyraphei 4/90 Akron CITY OF AKRON ONiel's DepartmenT store 375-2268 375-2268 CITY OF AKRON Bruce S. Ford. Photographos SUmmIT COUNTy QKrON, OHIO AKRON, OHIO PhoTo 8 SUMMIT AKRON, OH10 SUMMIT COUNTY PHOTO 1O OFla STORE 50%-70° OFF WOMANS CLEARANCE AKRON, OHIO AKRON, O HIO SUMMIT COUNTY PHOTO NO, 12 OF 17 15 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AKRON WEST QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY COMMERCIAL SURVEY CO. 1967 UNITED STATES N4100 - w8130/7.5 DONALD I. PLUSQUELLIC September 25, 1990 Mr. Jeff Winstel Columbus, ohio 43211-2497 Sincerely, John Ferchill, J.

Christopher Enterprises Register City of Akron, Ohio Mayor DP/fh National Register Manager Ohio Historical Center role in the lives of many Akron citizens and in the broad growth vitality with new occupancy. and development of the community until its closing last year. John Cimperman, Cuyahoga Research Group I look forward to the review of the renovation project plans with The listing of the former department store on the National the Ohio Historical Preservation office. you will find the building worthy of the National Register. development firm selected by the City to return o'Neil's to full I urge the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Board to support The City of Akron is the owner of the O'Neil's building and Since the store's opening in 1928,o'Neil's had played a generous nomination of the o'Neil's Department Store,226-250 South Main Dear Mr.

Winstel: 1982 Velma Avenue Street, to the National Register of Historic Places. I hope that Christopher Enterprises. J. Christopher Enterprises is the OCT 2 31990* Ohio Historical Center 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497 (614) 297-2470 SINCE 1885 October 16, 1990 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief P.O. Box 37127 Washington, D.C. 20013-7127 Crumrine Farm nominations, specifically regarding the application of Ash land U.S. Post Office W. Ray Luce WRL/Jw: dh SOCIETY County NATIONAL Enclosures Marion HISTORICAL Sincerely, REGISTER State Historic Preservation Officer Summit Ohio Historic Preservation Office notification procedures have been followed for these new submissions. National Park Service Michael Crumrine Farm Dear Carol: National Register of Historic Places John Crumrine Farm Criterion A for agricultural significance.

New Submission I am requesting a substantive review of the John Crumrine Farm and the Michael Please contact me if you have any questions. O'Neil's Department Store Department of the Interior OHIO