Nomination for Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Company Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (Oct. 1990) RECEIVED 413 MAR 2 3 1995 1. Name of Property historic name . 2. Location street & number. -- 209 W. Seventh Street - not for publication - vicinity 3. State/Federal Agency Certification Asthe designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination X meets does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend fhat this property be considered significant Ohio Historic Preservation Office -- OHSHPO Signature of certifying official/Title National Park Service Certification Date of Action - See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the removed from the National other, (explain:) Date Register.

state Cincinnati National Register Registration Form other names/site number National Register of Historic Places Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Company Building Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company Building city or town Entered in the United States Department of the Interior State of Federal agency and bureau National Park Service entered in the National Register. 3-17-95- code_OHcounty Hamilton Ohio OMB-No. 10024-0018 code 061 zip code 45202 -request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of I hereby certify that the property is: In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. (L See continuation sheet for additional 495 comments.) 5. Classification Ix private W building(s) - public-local - district - object 6. Function or Use 7.

Description MODERN MOVEMENT/Art Deco Noncontributing Current Functions Architectural Classification sites structures ASPHALT roof Materials walls in the National Register Total Ownership of Property Narrative Description County and State Historic Functions Number of contributing resources previously listed Number of Resources within Property Category of Property (Enter categories from instructions) (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Name of related multiple property listing Hamilton Co., ohio STONE: Limestone (Do not include previously listed resourcesin the count.) COMMUNICATIONS/Telephone Equipment Other: Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Blag. Natlonal Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet MAR 2 3 1995 Located within the western side of the downtown, the associated with the telephone communications industry.

The parking garages, large retail department store, smaller retail At the exterior walls, a smooth marble wainscot rises for side facades, is enframed with broad marble surrounds and DESCRIPTION churches, all uses are housed within twentieth century buildings. Deco architecture further embellished with additional motifs metal grille with stylized flower and human motifs.At the east Page National Park Service tall with a two story penthouse.It reflects a rectangular plan contemporary entry way was added at the south facade. openings, within which metal louvers or metal window dampers are Telephone Co. facade, the windows at the first and second floors have narrow RECEIVED 413 The building is symmetrical with eighteen bays on its main the decorative leaf motif grille continuesat three panels.

walls which are laid up in moderate rectangular blocks.The lower base,ten story main a two story penthouse.The Unlted States Department of the Interior Section number Cinfinnate and north facades, the second floor window bays are smaller in small squares panes of glass step up to help accentuate Several The lintels. The juxtaposition of uses include churches, glass flanked and surmounted by long rectangular glass. building is found within a dense, compact urban setting composed facade is divided into three different sections; a two story It is twelve stories The marble is the same material which is used at the Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Company Building exhibits Art lower base first floor window fenestration, at the east and north north facade and ten on its east facade. of mixed land uses. building are approximately 398,000 gross square feet of space.

Suburbar with overall dimensions of 240' by 120'.Incorporated within the NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Hamilton Co., Ohio top of the transom is found a large marble panel, fluted at the Each of the large bays, at either side of the entrance, is of the windows, below the roofline, is found an extremely found. Continuation Sheet tive recessed three bay entry frontispiece.The entrance is at decorative composition of rounded corners and geometric forms to continuous band of bas-relief stone details which extend across recessed panels, swag and geometric motifs at ceiling cornices, details as the main body. central circular dome with receding concentric lines marks the classically inspired incised panel with human and animal figures.

designs and human figures adorn the doors and the copper metal Above the mostly glass doors is found a large lighted National Register of Historic Places exhibits narrow piers and decorative metal spandrel grilles.The The base is separated from the main body by the use of a The same general details are found at the east side facade entry The Art Deco detailing continues into the main foyer at the the central bay which exhibits a three door entry.Geometric Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Co. bottom, and enriched with a carving of human figures at the top. transom with the address of the building,"2og" in copper. being that those bays have windows instead of doors anda first floor- express the highest bays. Additionally, piers terminate with no significance is the detailing expressed at the elevator lobby. junction of the elevator lobby with the foyer.

Extending beyond (8-86) Page several are flush with the limestone walls.At the termination This expressive embellishment vertical emphasis is further articulated with the use of recessed adornment.The two story penthouse exhibits the same wall Stylistic elements include polychromic marble Section number 7 is composed of telephones and tools.Main body wall treatment highlight the main entry bays. Several window bays are paired and The first floor on the main north facade has a very decora- An incised date plate with modern numerals Above each entry bay is found a 6/6 metal sash windows. expressed with details similar to the entry bay;the difference and door bays. in modern lettering is found "seventh Street". NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Page - 3 Hamilton Co., Ohio equipment and office requirements.

the dome is an arched ceiling with geometric panels.The stone National Register of Historic Places wall and terrazzo floor details continue into this area from the National Park Service Section number 7 were designed around a central service core which housed Continuation Sheet by Art Deco details. Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Co. At the upper elevator lobbies continue the Art United States Department of the Interior elevators, stairs, toilets and systems chases. Additional usable years, changes have been made to numerous upper floors. This has (8-86) details express a strong sense of design relatedness articulated execution and more muted in composition.The interior floors Columns and ceiling beams are simple and functional.Over the been accomplished to meet the increased demands for placement of Deco treatment.

foyer.When viewed in their totality, the foyer and lobby Name of Property A Property is associated with events that have made X C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack 1929 - 1944 -D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) - B removed from its original location. - C a birthplace or grave. - D a cemetery. - E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. - F a commemorative property. - G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Hake, Harry SI. Narrative Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 - State Historic Preservation Office - Other State agency - previously listed in the National Register - Federal agency previously determined eligible by the National X Local government L University designated a National Historic Landmark - Other - recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: City of Cincinnati - recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # Register Bibilography COMMUNICATIONS Property is: ARCHITECTURE Criteria Considerations Architect/Builder significant in our past. individual distinction. Period of Significance religious purposes. Areas of Significance County and State Significant Person Significant Dates Applicable National Register Criteria our history.

for National Register listing.) (Enter categories from instructions) 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References A owned by a religious institution or used for Historic Conservation office 8. Statement of Significance Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Bldg. a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Previous documentation on file (NPs): N/A CFR 67) has been requested Cultural Affiliation Primary location of additional data: (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) B Property is associated with the lives of persons (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Hamilton Co. ohio 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property -Less than one acre. - See continuation sheet 11. Form Prepared By December 14, street & number - P. O. Box 8933 . state . zip code A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.

Representative black and white photographs of the property. (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) 209 W. Seventh Street instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form.

Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect 45208 name Zone organization Easting Continuation Sheets Cincinnati Northing Photographs Additional items UTM References Additional Documentation County and State Verbal Boundary Description Boundary Justification Historic Preservation Associates date Property Owner Name of Property name/title Fred Mitchell city or town Ohio Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Bldg (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet.) Submit the following items with the completed form: (Complete this item at the request of SHPO or FPO.) Hamilton Co., Ohio (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) .telephone 513-751-9629 a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470. et seq.). of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O.

Box37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127;and the Office of (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company C/o Dan Horgan Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. 45202 Maps Paperwork Reduction Act Statement:This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate National Park Service Hamilton Co., Ohio STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE of local Cincinnati businessman Charles Kilgour (1833-1906)- Mr. Continuation Sheet with telephone communications. between their main office and the factory. Natlonal Register of Historic Places Kilgour was a banker and street traction line company operator.

lines were established in 1882 when a contract was signed with Unlted States Department of the Interior The building is part of the local telephone system which nominated under Criterion A for its historical association with mainly local businesses who sought to establish communications The Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Company Building is established between Kilgour's company and Bell Telephone of required relocation to larger offices, in 1886, to Third and downtown Cincinnati at Fourth and Walnut Streets to facilitate establish a communications link for his traction company.He Boston to serve as the exclusive agent for the Bell system in distance was considered to be a distance of one hundred miles.

changed to the City and Suburban Telegraph and Telephonic In company installed telephones which used the Cincinnati and a its contribution to the local use of the telephone in Cincinnati Criterion C for its use of the Art Deco style and specific motifs first to establish a telephone system in Ohio. It was the tenth Page businesses. the communications industry. The Cincinnati and Suburban Telegraph Association its operations. Specifically, it is significant for that have been specifically designed to express its association Section number _ soon afterwards marketed his fledgling company to other local Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Co.

He started a telegraph operation after he found it necessary to the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.At that was formed in 1873 as the result of the entrepreneurial efforts evolved independently to meet the communications needs of The company grew in size and demand for space By 1882,the local telephone company had office space in Hamilton Co., Ohio Section number - the east side of Cincinnati's downtown, the company chose to corporate office and housed some operation facilities. The company, earlier in 1904, had started to construct neighborhood The company recognized, in 1927, that it again needed Page alternatives for proposed space requirements and configurations fifteen stories in height. additional space for its operations and downtown telephone telegraphic operations had been discontinued.

and Suburban Telephone Company remained at the Fourth Street National Park Service Continuation Sheet Incorporated into the layout was additional space for the equipment for local service and the national company would customers that they served. Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Co. building was predicated on the immediate and future space needs Continued growth required the construction of a new office layouts called for the local company to use the first five floors with the national company utilizing some of the upper floors. Natlonal Register of Historic Places designed to house approximately 398,0o0 gross square feet of By 1929,a twelve story building with penthouse had been in l9l4 at Fourth Street and Hammond Street, midway between United Statee Department of the Interior It was designed by the noted local architect, Harry Hake. Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Company.

By that time, Various space. remain there with its new construction. experience in other cities with expanding operations, provided to One proposal considered a building that was were discussed. those that were incorporated within the design. Initial space American Telephone and Telegraph, from its Walnut and Main Streets. Company entered into an agreement with the national American Because of its previous locations on Its footings were designed to accommodate additional floors above Telephone and Telegraph Company to be joint users of a new The corporate office of the Cincinnati exchange buildings which placed telephone equipment closer to the the local company a pragmatic sense of space needs. This building served as of these two systems. projected need to 1950. 990 National Register of Historic Places Section number .

Hamilton Co., Ohio During its period of significance, this building provided for telephone switching, exchange operations, and equiptment distance operations, information, and ancillary functions neces- larger national communications giant, American Telephone and metal grilles at the spandrels, decorative leaf grilles at its training and supervisory personnel. Cincinnati. Acoustical treatment reduced the noise created by the terminals.

National Park Service Continuatlon Sheet An extensive battery system was also contained within the connect a call.Incorporated within the building was a system to Seventh Street is the sole surviving downtown building associated was to establish dial service in Cincinnati.This approach was This building contributes to the architectural development within the Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone system performed It was destined to retain its pivotal position with the incorpor- The original office building on Fourth Street was demolished building to provide power in case the normally used electrical with the historic development of the telephone industry in viewed as the central focus for its communications activities. smooth operation of its switching and dialing terminals.

building was a cafeteria, auditorium, and various offices for building associated with the style include vertical articulation of its facades through the use of recessed window fenestration, The local company changed its name to Cincinnati Bell in It has remained a private company not overseen by the ation of additional space for future telephone operations. Telegraph Company. Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Co. Today, the Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Company Building on of the Art Deco style within the city and in particular the United States Department of the Interior in 1983 to allow for the construction of a new office building. It housed the downtown exchange, long Page testing facilities. system failed.

faster and relied less on the traditional use of an operator to The layout of each floor was different to keep the space as dust free as possible.This allowed for the Natlonal Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _8 Page _ 7 Hamilton Co., Ohio Cincinnati, as applied to a tall commercial building, is found on -the fourteen story Cincinnati Enquirer Building (1926, National Cincinnati Times/Star Building (1933, National Register). Addi- used the Art Deco style which was very popular at the time. The National Park Service architectural association with Hake continues today with the Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Co. A particularly strong relationship had evolved between the important Art Deco commercial buildings. detailed ornamentation at its interior lobbys.

commercial use of the style was applied to the sixteen story affirmation of Art Deco within a downtown that has several other tionally, Cincinnati's Art Deco legacy is further articulated by Architects, the successors to Harry Hakes architectural firm. The earliest example of Art Deco architecture in downtown With the consideration of the Seventh Street was stylistic building incorporates many of the common telephone company utilizing the services of Champlin/Haupt, the addition of the Union Terminal Building of Hake's earliest commissions, for the company, was to design a again asked to design a building for the telephone company.He United States Department of the Interlor Register) . first floor, copper geometric designs at main entry, modern Tower Complex (1930, National Historic Landmark).

The last tall time, he continued to design neighborhood exchange buildings. stylistic date plate, and extensive polychromic and geometrically design characteristics associated with the style.It is another Historic Landmark).Because of its period of construction and This was soon followed by National Register of Historic Piaces Section number 9, 10 Page 8 Hamilton Co., Ohio Arms, Richard G. (1958) No. 1, pp. 41-65. "Ground is Broken", Cincinnati Telephone Bulletin, March 90th Anniversary, 1873-1963. Hurley, Daniel (1982) Cincinnati Historic Inventory, August 1978, P- 237. White, John H, (1967) Street Railroad", Bulletin of the Cincinnati Historical VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION VERBAL BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION Cincinnati: The Queen City, Cincinnati Historical Society, historically associated with the building. Continuation Sheet BIBLIOGRAPHY the building.

National Park Service Various archival sources dealing with the construction of and Philosophical Society of ohio, January 1958, Vol. 16 Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Co. United States Department of the Interior Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Company (1929) 2,Lots 127 thru 130 at the Hamilton County Auditor's Office, "By Steam Car to Mt.Lookout:The Columbia and Cincinnati Miami Purchase Association for Historic Preservation Cincinnati, Ohio, p. 224. Society, April 1967,Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 93-107. 1929, pp. 72-73.

Being the same property as recorded in Plat Book 145, Page The nominated property includes all parcels of land "The Fustest With The Mostest",Bulletin of the Historical United States Department of the Interlor Natlonal Register of Historic Places Hamilton Co., Ohio 1) Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Company Building Hamilton County, ohio Photos 13 to 15, Cincinnati Bell View Number facade. Photograph National Park Service looking east. Description of exterior facade. the display windows. View of decorative pendant lanterns at north facade. Cincinnati, Upper story detail of exterior north facade. Detail of metal male caryatid forming part of decorative Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Co. View of main recessed entry at north exterior facade. View of exterior north main facade looking west. 209 W.

Seventh Street View of detail at entry foyer of interior first floor Detail above entry bay at first floor of east facade. View of exterior east side facade. View of decorative display window at first floor of View of street level of north main facade looking east. door detail at first floor central entry bay of north View of lower level details at exterior east facade. View of south exterior facade and addition at west Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-8004 Date of Photographs: February, 1995 5) Location of Negatives: Cincinnati Bell Telephone Co. View of main lobby at interior first floor looking west. View of upper story detail at south side facade. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: NOMINATOR: STATE OTHER : N PDIL: N PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/ SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM.

/CRITERIA TELEPHONE DATE DISCIPLINE REJECT MULTIPLE RETURN National Register 4/20/95 3/23/95 REVIEWER 5/07/95 DATE RECEIVED: VACCEPT NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DATE OF 45TH DAY: LESS THAN 50 YEARS: DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N DATE Entered in the REASONS FOR REVIEW: Co. Bldg. Cincinnat;Hamilton Co.;Ohio Cincinnati and Su bu ban 4 Cincinnati and Subumban Cincinnati;Ham:lton Co.,Ohio 5 Cincinnati and Suburban Cincinnati; Hamilton Co.; Ohio Cinainnati Hami/ton Co.; Ohio Cincinnati;Hami/ton Co.;Ohio Cincinnati: Hamilton Co., Ohio Cincinnati;Hami lten Co.;Ohio Cincinnati and Subun ban Il Cincinnati and, Suburban Cincinnati; Hamilton Co; Chio Cincinnati; Hamilton Co.; Ohio RECEIVED FEB 2 4 1995 Cincinnati ;Hami/ton Co.;Ohio Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Co. Bldg.

COVINGTON QUADRANGLE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE OF KENTUCKY COVINGTON, KY.-OHIO ROAD CLASSIFICATION 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) Unimproved road. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY KENTUCKY-OHIO 201 E. Fourth St. P. O. Box 2301 Cincinnati, Ohio 45201 March 8, 1995 Mr. W. Ray Luce State Historic Preservation Officer 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 RE: Cincinnati Bell Building 209 W. Seventh Street Dear Mr. Luce, National Register of Historic Places. As owners of the building, we recognize its historic contribution to the development and evolution of the telephone communications industry within southwestern Ohio. We also realize the importance of its Art Deco architecture, as applied to the exterior and interior, and the part the building has played in the development of this style within Cincinnati.

Its listing in the National Register will give additional recognition to the contribution that the building has made to the company and to the community. Manager - Real Estate Management Respectfully, Ron Gindling Cincinnati Bell Telephone Preservation Office Please accept this letter as an expression of support for the nomination of the Cincinnati Ohio Historical Center Cincinnati, Ohio and Suburban Telephone Company Building Cincinnati Bell Building) to be listed in the Ohio Historical Center 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497 Fax: 297-2546 March 20, 1995 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief of Registration National Register of Historic Places MAR 2 3 1995 P. O. Box 37127 Washington, D. C. 20013-7127 INTERAGENCY RESOURCES DIVISION Groveport United Methodist Telephone Co. Bldg.

Frank Mason Raymond House 614/297-2470 Cuyahoga COUNTY Hamilton Madison Summit Miami SOCIETY Stark Fayette Franklin Church HISTORICAL Bradford Junction Cincinnati and Suburban Dear Ms. Shull: Ohio Historic Preservation Office Interlocking Tower Sollars Farmstead Price Corners National Park Service NEW SUBMISSION notification procedures have been followed for these new submissions. Frank H. Mason House Pennsylvania Railway Ore Dock property owner. We are requesting a determination of eligibility for this submission. Enclosed please find nine (9)new National register nominations. All appropriate Please note that the following submission includes a letter of objection from the RECEIVED 413 George E. Cook House OHIO Shull, March 20, 1995, page 2 If you have questionsor comments about these documents, please contact this office. W.

Ray Luce Sincerely, enclosures State Historic Preservation Officer