Nomination for Myers Block--Home Company Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB No 10024-0018 (Oct. 1990) RECEIVED United States Department of the Interior National Park Service DEC 2 7 1996 National Register of Historic Places NAT. REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property other names/site number _ Location 1 East Main Street street & number _ N/A D vicinity city or town - State 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination Xmeets -does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant Signature of certifying official/Title Ohio Historic Preservation Office State of Federal agency and bureau 4.

National Park Service Certification Date of Action - See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the removed from the National - other, (explain:) 44805 Ashland comments.) Date Register. Registration Form National Register N/ not for publication historic name entered in the National Register. Myers Block/Home Company Building request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. ( See continuation sheet for additional 1620 NPS Form 10-900 This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A).

Complete each item by marking"x in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property J nationally statewide X/ locally. (L See continuation sheet for additional comments.) I hereby certify that the property is: Signature of the Keeper zip code - Ohio Ashland County, Ohio 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) - public-Federal - structure - object Name of related multiple property listing 6. Function or Use 7.

Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Noncontributing Rubber private other Historic Functions public-State roof site public-local Total Brick Terra Cotta Materials Narrative Description (Check only one box) Architectural Classification Commerical Style in the National Register Current Functions walls Number of contributing resources previously listed Myers Block/Home Company Building (Enter categories from instructions) Number of Resources within Property Category of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) County and State Name of Property WORK IN PROGRESS district W building(s) COMMERCE/TRADE: department stores foundation NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Section number _7 Myers Block/Home Company Building, Ashland, Ashland County, OH The Myers Block is a four story polygonal-shaped Commercial Style building built in 1910. The building is faced with brick highlighted with ornamental terra cotta tile trim, built on a Ashland's premier department store from 1910 until 1970. The third and fourth floors contained professional offices and various tradespeople. Dilapidated and vacant for over 20 surrounding business district. The irregular shape of the building is a result of the acute angle of Ashland's two main thoroughfares, Main Street (East/West) and Center Street (North/South), which parallel the walls of the building.

The structure is of brick bearing wall construction with wood interior with an entrance at the northeast corner, followed by three large display windows topped by more display windows extend along the Center Street side, following the pattern on the north wall. As the street extends down toward Town Creek, the Center Street entrance is placed below the main floor and served the basement and main floor of the building. The remaining windows topped with transom windows. The 3rd and 4th floors continue the vertical pattern established by the 2nd floor with 1/1 double-hung units without the transom units. Both the Main and Center elevations are unified by a subtle pier and spandrel treatment set on a decorative terra cotta tile base and capwork courses with a stylized corbeled brick and terra cotta tile cornice.

All of the windows are missing or heavily damaged and are sheathed in plywood on the exterior. The decorative tile base at the bottom of the piers are missing from both street elevations, possibly resulting from vandalism or neglect. During the late 1960s or early 1970s streamlined stainless steel awning canopies were placed over both entrances, along with metal column covers and framing for the display windows, giving the building a more contemporary image. The roof (which slopes from north to south) is covered with a recent rubber membrane over years of built-up asphalt, resting on wood sheathing. These are Page Description brick foundation. The basement, first and second floors housed The Home Company, Street/basement entrance.

The 2nd floor consists of regularly-spaced large 1/1 double-hung National Register of Historic Places years, the"Home Company Building" exterior at street level still reflects its use as a retail space and stands in discrete contrast to the predominantly Italianate style buildings in the the major street facing exterior modifications of the building in its 85year history. Continuation Sheet leaded beveled glass.The principal retail entrance directly fronts the intersection of Main and joists supported by steel beams and cast iron columns.The north facade at street level begins main floor windows are large 1/1 double-hung units with sills set on a line above the Center Center at an angle set in with display windows flanking the entry into the retail floor.Three (8-86) NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 National Park Service Section number _ 7 Myers Block/Home Company Building, Ashland, Ashland County, OH The south/alley wall is constructed of a solid sand mold brick different than the smooth hard burned street facing masonry. The fenestration pattern on this wall has been changed and modified many times. Newer louver assemblies with exhaust fans have been added and the original metal fire escape, which was installed above the alley, has been removed. The condition of the masonry on this wall is not in the excellent condition as the street facing The interior of the building shows evidence of decades of deterioration, neglect and vandalism. The main floor currently extends unobstructed from front to rear, except for the out into the basement footing. The flooring of the northeast and northwest entrances are decorative mosaic tile.

The balance of the flooring system was tongue and grooved oak hardwood and is serious deterioration or has been removed. The wood framed main and is decorated with the restrained use of several stylized metal 'MB' insignia (MB=Myers Block) attached to the plaster and wrought iron. The second floor follows the unobstructed layout of the first, while the 3rd and 4th floors contain a number of unsheathed wood framed asphalt, resting on wood sheathing. The Myers Block Building continues to dominate the retail district of Ashland with a vertical service, and ended with the advent of shopping center efficiency. (8-86) Page Continuation Sheet partition walls. The roof covered with a recent rubber membrane over years of built-up into the basement level.

The vertical column load is transferred by steel "fingers" branching mass that tells an era of downtown retail expansion that began with turn-of-the-century passenger elevator shaft (sans elevator) is directly accessible from the Main Street entrance cashier's ceiling suspended balcony, along the stairs which follow the east wall. The floor Description (continued) National Register of Historic Places structures are wood joists resting on steel beams, supported by cast iron columns extending walls.The condition of the chimney on the southeast corner appears tobe good. United States Department of the Interior County and State 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Areas of Significance (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property (Enter categories from instructions) for National Register listing.) *A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. - B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. 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 Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) -A owned by a religious institution or used for L B removed from its original location.

(Complete if Criterion B is marked above) - C a birthplace or grave - D a cemetery. - E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. - F a commemorative property. within the past 50 years. WOLF, JACOB - Builder Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles,and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) Primary location of additional data: - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 - State Historic Preservation Office CFR 67) has been requested L Other State agency -previously listed in the National Register - Federal agency - previously determined eligible by the National L Local government - University - designated a National Historic Landmark L Other J recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: ASHLAND COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY - recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 1910-1946 Bibilography Register ARCHITECTURE Architect/Builder COMMERCE religious purposes. Criteria Considerations Significant Dates Significant Person individual distinction.

Cultural Affiliation Applicable National Register Criteria Period of Significance Previous documentation on file (NPS): Property is: G less than 50years of age or achieved significance Name of Property Ashland Ccunty, Ohio 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property 4,52 416 - See continuation sheet (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) 11. Form Prepared By September 26, 1995 303 West Liberty Street (419) 281-3513 street & number - telephone . state . zip code - Submit the following items with the completed form: A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. Representative black and white photographs of the property.

(Check withthe SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the requestof SHPO or FPO.) (614) 633-3035 Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect 43912 44805-3123 Bridgeport Ashland name date organization Northing Zone Additional Documentation Ohio Easting Continuation Sheets name/title Name of Property Additional items less than one Boundary Justification UTM References Essex House Limited Partnership Myers Block/Home Company Building 213 Main Street Photographs County and State Matthew W.

Hamel (Place additional UTM references ona continuation sheet.) city or town Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) REV (February 14, A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including time for reviewing Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. Maps OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Myers Block/Home Company Building, Ashland, Ashland County, OH Statement of Significance The Myers Block building is historically significant for its long association with the Home Company, Ashland's premier retailer, and as the most significant remaining local example of the Commercial Style. Completed in 1910 the structure was a symbol of downtown retail expansion and civic pride. Vacated more than 20 years ago, it still remains a monument to a Criterion A for the unique role it served in Ashland's retail history, and Criterion C as an example of the Commercial Style popular in Ohio between 1890 and 1910. The industrial growth of the mid-nineteenth century produced factors that contributed to the rise of the American department store between 1840 and 1860s.

An improved standard of living caused a demand for more and better goods. More and more of these goods could be manufactured, mass-produced and easily shipped throughout the country via the growing railroad system. The industrial era economy brought about an increase of available capitol and cheap labor, necessary to build and staff stores. The earliest department stores opened in the industrial cities of the northeast and midwest. One of the earliest department stores was the John Shillito Company in Cincinnati founded in 1830. Other early department stores include: Stewart's Marble Palace (1840s), R. H. Macy & Company (1842), Gimbel Brothers, Inc.

(1842) all in New York City; F & R Lazarus & Company (1851) in Columbus; McAlpin's (1852) in Cincinnati; The Lion Store (1852) in Toledo; Wanamaker's (1861) in Philadephia; and The H & S Pogue Company (1863) in The department store flourished in the late nineteenth century. The stores were typically centrally located and were widely popular offering many services and a wide variety of electricity allowed for greater accessibility and usable space of the upper floors of large department store commercial buildings. The early twentieth century period between 1905 and 1930 heralded the heyday of the department store. The ability to offer a wide variety of goods and services, conviently located Cincinnati.

Continuation Sheet centralized and locally patronized business district.The structure meets National Register merchandise.At the turn-of-the-century technological advances such a elevators and National Register of Historic Places NPS Form 10-900-a Section number - 8 Page -1 (8-86) NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior Myers Block/Home Company Building, Ashland, Ashland County, OH of the department store to buy and sell merchandise in large volumns allowed for lower The Myers Block reflects this early twentieth century development of the department store through its use of modern technological devices and store design and its development as a locally-based department store developing as a regional retail center.

Interurban fever was sweeping Ohio in the early 1900s, and Ashland began construction on the Cleveland and Southwestern in April of 1907. Completed in 1909, the first car arrived, on trackage laid up the middle of Main Street, on January 14th. The president of the fledgling line was Ashland's own F.E. Myers, founder of the local Myers pump works and The Home Company with small towns to the north on its route to Cleveland and west to optimism to a number of local structures. At the turn of the century they hired Jacob Wolf of Mansfield, Ohio to build an office building that would reflect a similar upbeat business philosophy. It was this same firm that would later build the Myers family home in Ashland's Center Street Historic District.

Formed by the consolidation of two prominent local merchants Shinn, Stickwell & Company, and Beach & Brown, the new store promised a range of products and unmatched customer service. Sales clerks were to follow each customer throughout the store aiding in purchase Bucyrus, with connections to Columbus and Wooster (Plank 1987, pp 290-92). (8-86) Continuation Sheet February 1910.In the following month local newspapers announced the tenants in a series of selling prices.During this period increased transportation means connecting not only larger occupying the basement, first and second floors, would be known as "The Home Company." National Park Service National Register of Historic Places linoleum.The sales floor at street level consisted of accessories and women's finer clothing, and selection.

The basement held an inventory of men's clothing, rugs, wallpaper and Statement of Significance (continued) cities but smaller county seats enabling the growth of regional markets. under one roof continued to be the attraction of the department store. Additionally, the ability articles and advertisements.The Ashland Press on February 9th noted that the new store, The Myers family were prominent in every progressive local cause and they lent this part of the namesake clam that built the Myers Block.The C.s.C.connected Ashland (and Section number - Page - 2 Known locally as the "Home Company Building", the Myers Block was completed in NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Section number - 8 Page 3 Myers Block/Home Company Building, Ashland, Ashland County, OH flanked by display windows fronting the city's main arteries.

The second floor contained "Ready-to-wear", suits, coats, skirts and "Trimmed" hats. The building contained local innovations described as Ashland's first elevator and what was described as a vacuum "cable building."these rooms were rented by local professionals and tradespeople anxious to be following years this esteemed company included an attorney, physician, credit bureau, realtor and several insurance agents (Plank 1987, PP 51-53). the country the size of Ashland that can boast of a retail establishment equal to the Home coming to Ashland..."and "it is a conceded fact that this store offers patrons merchandise at (Southwestern Way 1914, p. 16,17). to update the look of the building. The Home Company department store closed in early remained Ashland's finest department store and the cornerstone of a thriving local downtown economy.

Continuation Sheet 1970 and another local firm (Comstock's) offering similar wares occupied the retail floors sales floor. The Southwestern Way, a guidebook of establishments along the C.S.C. line, mentioned the National Register of Historic Places Through the years stainless steel faced canopies and a new contemporary fascia was installed until 1975, when the building was vacated for good. For 60 years the Home Company Company's opening, tenants in the Myers Block included a tailor and a dentist. In the identified with the forward-looking proprietors on the floors below.

At the time of the Home people have no reason for going out of town and out of town people have every advantage in Statement of Significance (continued) The upper stories(3rd and 4th)were advertised as"first-class"with"[an] elevator,electric Company.And concluded with an accurate depiction of the store's role:"Today Ashland cash carrier", connecting clerks with the cash office located on a balcony above the main many virtues of the new department store, and noted"...it is doubtful if there is another city in (8-86) lower prices than same values and quality[can] be purchase for in larger cities, National Park Service Section number - Myers Block/Home Company Building, Ashland, Ashland County, OH At the time of its erection the Myers Block served as a focal point for the local business innovations copied from the finest stores in Cleveland and Columbus [OH] (Ashland Press 9 Between each vertical massing are piers emphasizing the vertical thrust of the two primary facades.

The thickened spandrels are minimally detailed with stylized terra cotta ornamentation and cornice. As a local example of the Commercial Style architecture, the Myers Block is noteworthy for its technologically-advanced design, both interior and exterior. In the context of the remaining buildings within the historic town center the Myers Block represents an important local example of the Commercial Style contrasted by its ornate for the past, while rising to the future. Page Continuation Sheet the design of the Myers Block are conveyed through ornamental and structural details.Large district. Offering an elevator, electric lights and a pneumatic cash carrying system, it featured National Register of Historic Places 1/1 windows were placed in vertical arrangements extending the height of the building.

Statement of Significance (continued) United States Department of the Interior Italianate neighbors.Thus the building physically assures us(and past customers) of respect OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 February 1910). The Myers Block displays the simplified exterior composition associated with NPS Form 10-900-a the turn-of-the-century Commerical Style.Typical Commercial Style characteristics evident in (8-86] National Park Service Section number g Page - 1 Myers Block/Home Company Building, Ashland, Ashland County, OH The Ashland Times-Gazett. [Ashland, OH) Cenetennial Program, Ashland, OH, 1915. Gordon, Stephen C. How to Complete the Ohio Historic Inventory. Columbus: Ohio Historic Preservation Office, 1992. Hendrickson, Robert. The Grand Emporiums, The Illustrated History of America's Great Department Stores. New York: Stein and Day Publishers, 1979. Plank, Betty. Historice Ashland County.

Ashland, OH: Asland County Historical Society, 1987. Lots 22, 23, and 24 South Ashland, southeast corner of East Main and Center Streets, (8-86) Continuation Sheet Boundary Justification National Register of Historic Places Boundary follows original property lines. Verbal boundary description Bibliography United States Department of the Interior The Ashland Press. Ashland, OH p. 1000. City of Ashland,OH.Ashland County Recorder's Office,Official record[Book]17, OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Section number PHOTOS Page - 1 Myers Block/Home Company Building, Ashland, Ashland County, OH G. Fred Schwab June, 1995 Schwab Architects, Columbus, OH Building view from Main and Center Streets looking southeast. Roof of building looking south along the Center Street parapet wall.

East wall and parapet looking north indicating polygonal building configuration. David E. Lockwood January, 1996 Basement interior viewing Main Street deteriorated sidewalk slab attachment to main structure looking northeast. Continuation Sheet Index of Photographs National Register of Historic Places South facade of building looking northeast from Center Street and South Alley. Building looking north along Center Street at South Alley. OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Myers Block/Home Company Building, Ashland, Ashland County, OH January, 1996 Schwab Architects, Columbus, Oh Main floor interior looking south indicating structural system and window Fourth floor interior viewing deteriorated floor system at south wall looking south. (8-86) configuration. platforms. elevator.

Continuation Sheet Main floor interior near main entrance looking west through window display National Register of Historic Places Second floor interior view of temporary supported stairways looking southeast near Index of Photographs (continued) David E. Lockwood OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Ashland OH subject to the following exceptions, exclusions, or amendments, Page DISTRIBUTION: Continuation Sheet National Register property file Multiple Name National Register of Historic Places Section number Amended Items in Nomination: SUPPLEMENTARY LISTING RECORD notwithstanding the National Park Service certification included in the nomination documentation.

Property Name: Nominating Authority (without nomination attachment) This property is listed in the National Register of Historic This SLR makes a technical correction to the registration form; form is amended to note that this is a privately owned building.

Places in accordance with the attached nomination documentation Section 5 of the form did not include the ownership classification nor the category of the nominated property..The Myers Block -- Home Company Building State: County: Signature of the Keeper Date of Action (8-86) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 16TH DAY: NOMINATOR: STATE OTHER : N PDIL: N PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: TELEPHONE DATE REJECT 1/25/97 RETURN 2/10/97 REVIEWER MULTIPLE 12/27/96 ACCEPT NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATE RECEIVED: REASONS FOR REVIEW: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION STATE & COUNTY: OHIO, Ashland NO LEFT BRIDGE ONLY MILES Ashland County, OH 1 MYERS BLOcK, Building OFFICE SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT 511 60 Ashland County, FURNI OFFICE Ashland County, OH Ashland County, Ashland County, OH Ashland County , OH Ashland County, OH Ashland County, OHl MYERS BLOCK BUILDING Ashland County, OH Myers Block/ 17 384200 4524000 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS ASHLAND SOUTH QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ASHLAND SOUTH, OHIO OHIO-ASHLAND CO.

1961 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE OF OHIO DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Building DEC 6 '95 16:10 P. O. Box 484 - Ashland, Ohio 44805 Octobar 5, 1995 G. Fred Scjwab. Arcjotect Columbus, Ohio 43212 Dear Mr. Schwab,. flooxs were leased to doctors, insurance men, relators, and other professional power plant at the factory and extended the line to the new building. Betty Plank, President FAX TRANSMITTAL (614) 481-8434 Fax* 297 2496 Fax f ** TOTAL PAGE.01 ** OCT91995 Sincerely, Suite 210 of historical consideration for a number of reasons. 1207 Grandview Avenue The Ashland County Historical Society (419) 289-3111 this was the first to boast of having a passenger elevator. Dept. SCHWAB ARCHITECTS Ashland County Board of Directors Although there were other three and four story retail stores on Main St. men and women. CONCEPT LIGHTING be saved from the wrecking ball.

give recognition of this building on the National Register. The Myers block, on the SE corner of E.Main St. and Center St. is deserving The building has been evaluated and ruled to still be of sound construction. Built in 1910, the building was occupied by the Home Co.,Ashland's The building also had electricity since the progress is fitting that this building which meant so much to so many f of pages Phone - On behalf of the members of the museuu board,I respectfully ask that you ENGINEERING DIVISION 206 Claremont Ave. Ashland, Ohio 44805 RECEIVED NOV 2 8 1995 CHRISTOPHER L. BROWN, P.E. November 27, 1995 Ms. Martha J. Raymond Technical & Review Services 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, OH 43211-2497 Dear Ms. Raymond: Building for the National Historical Register. and white stone trim.

This building, if renovated, can be returned to its original prominence in the center of the community. played at the turn of the century. This building, based on its significance to the community xc: Mr. Fred Schwab Municipal Building As City Engineer, I would like to add my support to the nomination of the Home Company City Engineer Ohio Historical Center The Home Company Building is the largest and most dominant downtown structure in the Ashland City Engineer commerce in the community and the county.Although it has been vacant for a number of in the past, and the architectural style of the time, qualifies for the Historic Register.

City, located at the corner of two state routes.In the past, it was an important center of years, it still is a solid building, reflecting the architecture of the 19o0's with it's red brick Very truly yours, SER I believe that if the proposed rehabilitation into housing is completed, it will maintain a part