Nomination for Johnson Steel Street Railway Company General Offices Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by mnarking "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 (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1. Naine of Property historic name Johnson Steel Street Railway Company General Offices Building other names/site number USS/Kobe Steel Company General Offices Building not for publication street & number 1807 East 28th Street. city, tonvn zip code 44055 3.

Classification Ownership of Property X private _sites _ structures _objects Number of contributing resources previously Name of related multiple property listing: listed in the National Register - 4. State/Federal Agency Certification National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. 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 Register. determined eligible for the National determined not eligible for the renioved from the National Register. Signature of the Keeper Lorain Noncontributing district Date public-local vicinity Registration Form Ohio public-Federal Total National Register of Historic Places National Register.

Category of Property other, (explain:) public-State See continuation sheet. Number of Resources within Property RECEIVED SEP 2 0 199 [building(s) Date of Action 09.3 code GH NPS Form, 10-90 the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documonted, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials. 2. Location As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the Ragister. See continuation sheet. Siale Jdoes not meet the National Register criteria. REGISTER ECEIVE 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (enter from instructions) Current Functions (enter cateqories from instructions) / 7.

Description Materials (enter categories from instructions) sstone walls - Describe present and historic physical appearance. The building stands at the northeast corner of East 28th Street and Pearl Avenue, a and is surrounded by a small lawn and shrubbery on its two principal elevations. Opposite this building, on the south side of East 28th Street, are commercial buildings. Behind here, to the north, are the core buildings of the steel plant, some of which are sandstone. The-exterior facing material is hard-fired pressed red brick, standard size, The facade is essentially five-part, with the main entrance in the center and towers at either end. On the corner is a massive octagonal tower with a steeply pitched pyramidal is a third floor central gable.

Flanking dormers with hipped roofs provide light to the The building's interior features a large entrance hall which contains an open stairway office spaces. The corner office here is an elaborate room with old, although perhaps Changes to this building, although numerous, do not impair the essential character of the basic plan and much original woodwork remain. - See continuation sheet : Commerce/business roof other asphalt shingles Architectural Classification Richardsonian Romanesque attic-like third floor. primary floors and are occasionally grouped in pairs or threes.These broad rectangular (enter categories from instructions) features a massive arched opening and is faced entirely in sandstone.

is a long hallway that extends back to the northern end of the building.The first and roof.The smaller eastern tower is set at an angle to the building.The northern tower major intersection in South Lorain. It is set about ten feet back from the sidewalk contemporaneous with this building, which still serves its original function as the a large 'L' which extends 140 feet along East 28th and 100 feet along Pearl. The building has a base of rock-faced locally-quarried Window openings are regularly spaced on the two windows have transoms, some of which are round arched. Rising above the main entrance along one wall and leads to a rear entrance. To the right are offices and to the left second floors are essentially similar with offices along both sides of the corridor. these floors. The third floor is more open and has been partitioned off in part into not original, oak paneling.

Otherwise, the exterior masonry Safes with elaborately painted vault doors are surviving original features on each of foundation brick building.Replacement windows retain the single-pane double-hung look of the original headquarters for operations of the facility. It stands three stories tall and forms 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Certitying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other proparties: Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Architect/Builder Ford, Hamilton E.. State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. This building, which is an impressive and well preserved example of Richardsonian in South Lorain, its robust architectural styling and its great size and height, this rail steel facility from its flood-damaged facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to a suitable site on Lake Erie closer to the ore fields was to have a profound impact on village of 1,500 in 1880 to a city of 20,000 in 1902 were remarkable even by the standards Only part of the land, along the Black River, was developed for the steel mill.

The land south of East 28th Street was laid off into broad avenues with a spacious park or Huron, and making it one of Ohio's leading steel and industrial centers. a part of the vast U.S. Steel empire, this building continued to function as the head- taility to the building, indicating the later version of Richardsonian Romanesque which X See continuation sheet 1894-1941 industry architecture Building Company in 1898 and a major shovel works after the turn of the century. Thus, Significant Person Although the steel mills were in the early years of the century to vastly expand, changing quarters facility.It has survived into the present without additions or major alterations.

the company purchased a vast tract of land, over several square miles south and east of Significant Dates from a streetcar rail facility to a major U.S.producer of steel pipe and by 1905 becoming Cultural Affiliation Period of Significance Johnson Steel Street Railway Company.Byvirtue of its location ata major intersection The General Offices Building is an impressive example of Richardsonian Romanesque style Offices Building was the centerpiece of the first group of buildings constructedby the Lxlocally Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) relocate his fast growing streetcar Lorain. The town's growth in the last two decades of the nineteenth century from a large residential area known as South Lorain, a neighborhood of attractive and affördable the decision to locate the steel mill in Lorain profoundly changed the course of the city architecture.

Its three towers, each distinct in form and mass, impart an air of monumen- operations of the steel mill, this building has historically been linked to the Lorain statewide Romanesque style architecture, represents the establishment of Lorain's steel industry, of those times.Its excellent port facilities and growth potential enticed Johnson Steel to select Lorain over other Lake Erie ports. Rather than locate in the established village, nationally United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Johnson Steel Street Railway Company General Offices Building, Lorain County, Lorain, Ohio Section number - its numerous hipped dormers, the bracketed cornice, the asymmetrically massed towers, and the steep central gable. While basically a brick structure, the building is abundantly trimmed in cut sandstone.

the transoms are round-arched for variety and are Richardsonian Romanesque elements. The main entrance is made more monumental by a massive sandstone portico with entrance through a large portal-like arch with the facility's historic name deeply incised. The building's profile is further enhanced through a massive hipped roof accented by careful restoration of the ornate cornice and masonry exterior has been undertaken. Non-original roofing materials were replaced by new shingles which resemble the as it did nearly 100 years ago. The building's architect, Hamilton E. Ford, was one of Lorain's earliest professional Virtually all of these buildings, similarly styled to this building, but some also displaying a combining of Richardsonian Romanesque and Neoclassical styles, have been notorious tornado of 1924. He designed the Century Block in Elyria, which still stands.

It resembles this building, except that it has a flat roof and its massing has been tower, unusual shingles, rock-faced ground story and eccentric massing have a somewhat also likely that Ford was involved in the design of other early steel mill buildings but these are generally simple examples of the period with a Richardsonian Romanesque character in their predomiantly vernacular styling. This building is the most outstanding surviving example of this style of architecture growth in the early twentieth century, a time when this style was waning in popularity, Bank Building at 6th and Broadway with an altered storefront, and St. Marys School. None of these buildings approach in grandeur and scale and integrity the character Page Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places this building. of the century.He was most active between 1889-1912.He also designed schools in the area.

cross-gable shape (McAlester, P. 302). The Richardsonian elements are the massive arched openings, most especially the main entrance portal, and the use of unornamented numerous dormers as well as the three towers. It is a highly visible presence in the While window sash have been altered and some interior spaces demolished. Many of his downtown Lorain buildings were destroyed in that city's This house still stands in relatively good condition. in the city. The schools, all smaller than this buildine, have all been demolished. Since the steel mill was the first major industry which led to the city's tremendous Other Lorain examples are the highly altered Big Four commercial building downtown, the Old Lorain National typically incorporated Romanesque detailing into the dominant Queen Anne hipped-with- signage has been removed from around the main entrance.

The building today looks much a most urusual Queen Anne house in Elyria on West Avenue at Eighth Street. Its swooping Richardsonian feeling.T flattenec to conform to commercial lot requirements.Ford was also the architect of heart of South Lorain. It is 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Publishing Company, U.S. Steel Lorain-Cuyahoga Works, 1980. ] See continuation sheet [X]preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) Primary location of additional data: x State historic preservation office has been requested previously listed in the National Register Other State agency previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark J Local government recorded by Historic American Buildings Other Survey # Jrecorded by Historic American Engineering Acreage of property UTM References Verbal Boundary Description then west 300 feet, then south125 feet, to form arectangule 300 by 125 feet. This 11.

Form Prepared By June 18, 1991 organization - 3515 Archwood Avenue street & number - _state city or town University Zone Easting date Northing Cleveland Ohio Specify repository: Federal agency (originally published in 1903) Boundary Justification Teague, George H., Lorain (reproduction by Unigraphics, Evansville, Ind., 1980) The nominated land includes the building, its small lawns in front and a small parking area 10. Geographical Data building and grounds. creates a compact rectangle of_nominated nronerty around the and service yard associated with the General Offices Building and does not include the General Offices Building.

Previous documentation on file (NPS): The boundary line begins at the northeast corner of East 28th Street and Pearl Avenue "Lorain Times Herald",March 27,1916 of long-time General Manager M.M.Suppes) Record # less than one _ telephone (216) 749-3515 Lorain: name/title - _ zip code 44109 rectangle includes only oné building, the General Offices Building.

Steeltown: Steven McQuillin, preservation consultant Steven McQuillin & Associates UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 16TH DAY: NOMINATOR: STATE APPEAL: N Y PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N SLR DRAFT: N COMMENT WAIVER:N ACCEPT ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: 6/18/92 8/02/92 7/16/92 RETURN DISCIPLINE MULTIPLE DATE PROPERTY REVIEWER RECOM./CRITERIA NATIONAL: PDIL: OTHER: Johnson Steel Street Railway Company General Offices Buildin DATE RECEIVED: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE REASONS FOR REVIEW: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: LANDSCAPE: N REQUEST: N 92000887 6/30/92 SAMPLE: DATA PROBLEM:N DATE OF PENDING LIST: LESS THAN 5O YEARS: _resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION _current _architectural classification _descriptive text Areas of Significance--Check and justify below _summary paragraph _clarity _applicable criteria relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception GEOGRAPHICAL DATA _acreage -verbal boundary description _boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION -photographs _presentation FUNCTION materials Period historic Builder/Architect CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION BIBLIOGRAPHY context SIGNIFICANCE Date Phone other Signed Specific dates _count OTHER COMMENTS _completeness _sketch maps Statement of Significance one paragraph) USGS maps UTMS relating significance to the resource Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to justification of areas checked öhnson Steel General Offices Bldg.

Lorain, Ohio June 1991 negs. in photographer's collection front and east side, looking NW Steven McQuillin, photographer JSGO-1 OBE Lorain, Ohio June 1991 Steven McQuillin, Photographer negs. in photographer's collection front and west side, looking NE Johnson Steel General Offices Bldg. JSGO-2 Lorain, Ohio June 1991 Steven McQuillin, photographer negs. in photographer's collection rear and east sides, looking SW Johnson Steel General Offices Bldg. JSGO-3 Lorain, Ohio June 1991 Steven McQuillin, photographer negs. in photographer's collection 1ooking north closeup view of the front elevation Johnson Steel General Offices Bldg. JSGO-4 Lorain, Ohio June 1991 1ooking SW Johnson Steel General Offices Bldg. JSGO-5 third floor SWrcorner office,, Seeyen McQuillin, photographer - in photographer's collection Lorain, Ohio June 1991 Steven MeQuillin, photographer negs.

in photographer's collection first floor rear hall, looking north Johnson Steel General Offices Bldg. JSGO- 6 Lorain, Ohio June 1991 Steven MeQuillin, photographer negs. in photographer's collection second floor vault door, looking E Johnson Steel General Offices Bldg. JSGO-7 UNITED STATES LORAIN QUADRANGLE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE OF OHIO 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 17=404660-4588760 OHIO-LORAIN CO. Loraln, Ohio Quadrangle Map Ohio Historical Center 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497 Fax: 614/297-2411 SINCE 1885 JUN 1 3 1992 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief P.O. Box 37127 Gill-Luchsinger-Bohnsen House & W.

Ray Luce Lorain Barn Enclosures SOCIETY 614/297-2470 New Submissions REGISTER Ottawa HISTORICAL County NATIONAL National Register of Historic Places Ohio Historic Preservation Office notification procedures have been followed for these new submissions, Johnson Steel Street Railway Company General Office Lorain YMCA Building National Park Service State Historic Preservation Officer Enclosed are three new National Register nominations.All the appropriate Department of the Interior Dear Ms. Shull: Please contact me if you have any questions. Washington, D.C. 20013-7127 Sincerely OHIO