Nomination for Power Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB No. 10024-0018 (Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior RECEIVED National Park Service National Register of Historic Places FEB -4 1999 Registration Form 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 2. Location street & number - 224 E. 8th Street - not for publication city or town U vicinity OH county Hamilton code 061 zip code 45202 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this X] nomination X meets -does not meet the National Register criteria.

I recommend that this property be considered significant Ohio Historic Preservation Office -- OH SHPO State of Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. (L See continuation sheet for additional Signature of certifying official/Title 4. National Park Service Certification Date of Action V entered in the National Register. L See continuation sheet. - determined not eligible for the - other, (explain:) HAM-5450-44 state Date Cincinnati Register. 1-7-99 National Register historic name Power Building NPS Form 10-900 Ohio each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions.

Place additional -request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property I hereby certify that the property is: J removed from the National by entering the information requested. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, comments.) Hamilton Co., Ohio 5. Classification Ownership of Property Number of Resources within Property (Check only one box) (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) XX private - public-local - district Xbuilding(s) D site - structure -object - Total Name of related multiple property listing Number of contributing resources previously listed 6.

Function or Use INDUSTRY: Manufacturing Facility 7.

Description Late 19th and Early 20th Century foundation _ American Movements: Commercial Style Steel frame Noncontributing roof public-State other walls Narrative Description Historic Functions Power Building public-Federal Current Functions County and State Masonry bearing walls Architectural Classification Vacant/Not In Use (Enter categories from instructions) (Check as many boxes as apply) Ashlar stone (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Composition built up Materials in the National Register Name of Property Category of Property (Enter"N/A"if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Hamilton County, Ohio The Power Building is a ten story, stretcher bond brick, area that from ca. 1880 to ca.

1915 developed as a location for close association to the building are several large surface This is a large, massive building that imparts a monumental The main facades of the building rise above a lower two of numerous storefronts, all of which have experienced various degrees of alterations to the lower panels, display glass, and the asymmetrically placed entry bay located at the west side of a two story frontispiece highlighted by decorative sandstone surrounds that enframe the altered first floor door and the three stylistic embellishment at the entry is a decorative nameplate separated from the interior bays by the use of a projecting from the interior floors, the piers exhibit decorative capitals. configuration. DESCRIPTION parking lots.

Section number Power Building Continuation Sheet northeast section of Cincinnati's central business district in an Renaissance architectural motifs to accentuate the main facades. various industrial activities. Today, the Power Building is The construction materials include a steel frame and and seven bays along the Sycamore street east elevation. The "L" story base (photographs 1 thru 3). transoms. One significant element is the decorative treatment to The entry is articulated with which reads "The Power Building". At the second floor of the lower base windows are 1/1 double hung wooden sash. The base is is tucked behind the building and has a three bay by five bay presence.

Page The first floor is composed Built in 1903,it is located at the northwest corner of Sycamore United States Department of the Interlor Section number ] DESCRIPTION (continues) At the interior seven floors, architectural details are The top floor is separated from the interior floors by a composed of three, 2/2 wooden double sashes and capped with a segmental arched brick lintel. Roof detail exhibits a plain continuous broad cove cornice, surmounted by the parapet, and was on the building until ca. 1950s. The second cornice was The north and west side facades are composed of plain common brick lintel and sill detailing (photographs 4 thru 6). platform from which a second tank was removed (photographs 24 and original construction and is still in place along each facade.

The system was designed to provide a continuous curtain of water supress a fire from within the building or to retard a fire from Page Continuation Sheet cornice treatment. Power Building National Register of Historic Places Hamilton County, Ohio National Park Service An exterior fire supression system was installed with the added at an unknown date to the north facades. composed of three, 2/2 double hung wooden windows with plain similar to the existing one and was supported by plain dentil bond brick coursing, 2/2 wooden double hung sashes and plain facades. The roof is flat and is composed of a composition spreading from an adjacent building into the Power Building.

research has determined that the present cornice is the third to that flowed down the facade that originated at sprinkler heads at Unlted States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Section number _z Page 3 Hamilton County, Ohio riveted "I" beam columns rise to support the floor above. Several modern elevators are a later addition that replaced Power Building Continuation Sheet skylights pierce the roof. DESCRIPTION (continues) been extensively altered over the years with a loss of original have been added and ceilings have been lowered. The upper stories are composed of wood floors, plaster ceilings and walls, exhibit decorative pressed metal ceiling.All retail spaces have Hamilton Co., Ohio County and State 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance - A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. L 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 L D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Criteria Considerations A owned by a religious institution or used for Significant Person - B removed from its original location. Complete if Criterion B is marked above L C a birthplace or grave. Cultural Affiliation - 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. Narrative Statement of Significance 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.) Previous documentation on file (NPS): 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 LJ Federal agency X previously determined eligible by the National - Local government E University Ll designated a National Historic Landmark X Other - recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: Clrecorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 1903 Register ARCHITECTURE Architect/Builder Cincinnati Preservation Association individual distinction. religious purposes.

Architect: Harry Hake Significant Dates for National Register listing.) Property is: Bibilography (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) (Enter categories from instructions) Period of Significance Name of Property (Mark *x" in all the boxes that apply.) (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property Power Building Hamilton Co., Ohio Name of Property County and State 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property UTM References (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet.) - See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description Boundary Justification 11. Form Prepared By June, 1998 street & number 1026 Lenox Place _ telephone 513-751-9629 city or town - state Submit the following items with the completed form: 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. Property Owner street & number a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503 20815 name date Zone Easting Maps organization Photographs Maryland Cincinnati Northing Continuation Sheets Additional Documentation Ohio Additional items Historic Preservation Associates Power Building Fred Mitchell (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Chevy Chase (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) 5105 Dorset Avenue (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) Less than one acre.

zip code name/title (Complete this item at the request of SHPO or FPO.) Attn: Alexander Bastos Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form.

Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect 4331200 Power Building Associates Limited 715400 45229 United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Hamilton County, Ohio STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Historic Places under C for its association with the eligible under Criterion C as a distinctive example of early twentieth century Commercial architecture as applied to an firm that, at that time, was establishing itself as an important variety of commissions that Hake's firm engaged in during the industrial use that matched the Power Building in overall bulk in other industrial building of this scale has been documented. The architectural commissions, however, no other industrial design example, the firm designed the following industrial buildings in the period from 1900 to 1908: Miller, DuBrul, Peters Mfg. Co.

(demolished) Pfau Manufacturing Company (HABS No. OH-2414, Page demolished) Continuation Sheet Power Building The building was designed by the Cincinnati architectural Section number the early part of the twentieth century. Doscher Brothers Factory Building (demolished) The Power Building is eligible for the National Register of building for the firm because of its massive scale and height. industrial building. The building contributes to a Only a few other buildings in Cincinnati were constructed for Hake and Partners. Throughout the long history of the firm, no firm did not design any other industrial buildings as tall or as compares to the mass and scale of the Power Building. Queen City Varnish Co. (demolished) building type for the technological process used within the earliest buildings to be constructed in the central business early part of the twentieth century.

It was an important 1908 1904 district.This building is one architectural commission from a noted Cincinnati Hake.The building is also building to generate electrical power that was used by tenants. firm of Harry Hake and Partners in 19o3.Mr.Hake designed this It is also significant as a particular Unlted States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Section number 8 Page 2 Hamilton County, Ohio this eight year period, the firm designed the following buildings Private residential buildings for wealthy clients Andrews Building (1901) (demolished) Havelin Hotel (1905) (demolished) Provident Bank Building (1907, OHI HAM-2051-44) Hake specialized in the use of classical and renaissance Although other Cincinnati architects also used these styles, Hake city's fire and police stations.

attract two major clients that were to provide important asked Hake to design a downtown skyscraper building in 1912. Also, the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company asked Hake to design their corporate headquarters in 1915 (Lytle Park National Register Historic District, 1976). Warehouses Retail Buildings included: in Cincinnati: Stables Continuation Sheet Power Building National Register of Historic Places executed his revival buildings with remarkable artistry, Numerous multi-family residential buildings revival inspired architectural details during this period. Substations for the Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company Numerous fire and police stations Skyscraper buildings in the central business district It is important to note that Hake undertook a number of STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (continues) exhibited muted stylistic details.

They were functional in With the early success of the firm, they were able to especially when applied to small scale buildings such as the design. architectural commissions in the period ca.1900 to 1908.During United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (continues) Harry Hake was the founder of one of Cincinnati's more as a draftsman for an established Cincinnati architectural firm. local Republican politics and this benefitted his firm with a and the midwest. - The Power Building is a good representative example of the early twentieth century Commercial style used to articulate the Because of its early twentieth century age of construction, Page Section number Continuation Sheet Power Building Hamilton County, Ohio Company)and the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company. The architectural influence of Harry Hake cannot beunderstated.

number of important local for the city of twentieth century clients of Harry Hake including Cincinnati Bell Telephone (successors of Cincinnati Telephone and Telegraph a building at the University of Cincinnati.With his death, National Register of Historic Places the firm continued under the leadership of his son Harry Hake II. Architects who still count as clients several of the early In 1979,Harry Hake III sold the firm to Champlin/Haupt design of industrial buildings. Pier and spandrel wall detail characteristic of commercial architecture for that period articulated with the use of a decorative semi-circular entry top floor segmental arch Renaissance Revival motif.

tripartite "Chicago style" windows incorporates a fenestration frontispiece suggesting a Romanesque Revival motif as well as the interior floors, and top or crown floor.The building is further and its successors designed more than 5oo buildings in Cincinnati Unlted States Department of the Interior National Park Service Continuation Sheet Section number 8 Page 4 Hamilton County, Ohio STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (continues) century Commercial style large scale industrial building develop- ment, the Power Building is the only surviving example to use the Textile Building (1905, West Fourth Street National Register Historic District, 1979: Local Designation, 1986) uses the early twentieth century commercial buildings were making an important contribution to the historical development of downtown Company as a commercial venture established for the purpose of politics and who developed numerous downtown Cincinnati buildings by the 1920s.

The building was designed for industrial use Also included was Fechheimer Kiefer and Company, a company that clothing manufacturing, although the building did not exclusively the building, Polly Flinders, specialized in girl's dresses. period. Power Building building continued to attract companies that manufactured National Register of Historic Places central business district.Within the context of early twentieth other industrial buildings came close to matching these two in One other tall industrial building, the twelve story scale and mass. Both buildings were constructed at a time when contribute to the built form of tall buildings during that developing this building. The company went out of business Sinton Taft as a real estate investment. She was a member of the manutactured or processed items. Early tenants included the garment industry at that time.

the building housed a number of firms that specialized in influential Taft family who was involved in state and national style. Shortly after its construction, Renaissance Revival style to articulate its scale and mass.No The building was constructed in 19o3 by the Power Building United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Section number 3 Hamilton County, Ohio STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (continues) second was the Commercial Tribune Building which was constructed Some developers of commercial buildings incorporated the electrical power was important to manufacturing tenants. The Power Building was not unique in its use of electrical Page own electricity. Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places not unusual with respect to producing its own electrical power, Power Building not widespread in Cincinnati or other cities.

By 1903,two other buildings were built that also produced in downtown Cincinnati have been identified as doing this as produced from coal fired boilers was transferred to run a reciprocating engine. engine was then transferred to the generator which changed the however, the process was not widespread. Several other buildings power generation. Qther major manufacturing cities had buildings However, its use was well. The mechanical energy of the reciprocating United States Department of the Interior Hamilton County, Ohio MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES tions, Power Building. Collection, Series II, Project Number Hake-131, Complete July 3, 1903, 4:5. Hamilton County Recorder's Office, Deed for acquisition of 120 and 121, September 28, 1901. Ohio, Volume 2, 1904. 1909, Vol. 1, No. 4, p. 8.

VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION as depicted in Plat Book 79, Page 4 at the Hamilton County alley vacated 12.01' by 112' north line 8th Street, 232.23' east of east line of Main Street. The verbal boundary description contains all property that Power Building Continuation Sheet Exterior Drawings. Sanborn Insurance Map Company, Insurance Maps of Cincinnati, BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION National Register of Historic Places Cincinnati Historical Society, Harry Hake and Partners, Inc. The Cincinnati Magazine, "Cincinnati's Civic Spirit", July, National Park Service Lots 36 of the original North Square Subdivision Section number 9, 10 Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, May 10, 1903, 12:1, Collection, Series I, Project Number Hake-707, Specifica- Page Advertisement for leasing of space.

Cincinnati Post,"Power Building Idea a Stimulus to Trade", Five fine, large stores, with basements and all convenionces, and six space, apply to N. W. Cor. 8th and Sycamore. . Cincinnati Trust Co. os Nicholas P. Smith, FOR RENT FLOORS WITH POWER-STORES THE POWER BUILDING building ln the city.No trouble to show the property.For particulars and manufacturing square feet each).Will divide to suit not constructed Building Source: Newspaper advertisement for the Power Building. etc.Go and inspect it.Most modern and complete manufacturng illustrated below.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : STATE & COUNTY: OHIO, Hamilton REASONS FOR REVIEW: COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: TELEPHONE DATE REVIEWER PROPERTY DISCIPLINE RETURN MULTIPLE 2/04/99 2/17/99 3/21/99 3/05/99 RECOM./CRITERIA Power Building Entered in the APPEAL: DATE RECEIVED: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: National Register DATE OF 45TH DAY: REFERENCE NUMBER: OTHER : REQUEST: N N SLR DRAFT: N DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N 99000276 REJECT NATIONAL: PERIOD: PDIL: SAMPLE: VACCEPT -carolihe Kellam Lincinnati Historic Preservation Office South Facade and South Elevation Looking North $ 6222 Caroline Kellam Dec 17,1997 Hami lton Co.OH Whirlpool ICLE FOR Hami Iton Co OH Dcc 17,1997 Looking West Laroline Kellam Hamilton Co OH Caroline Kellam Dec 17 1997 South Power Building 224 E 8th Street.

caroline Kellam Northwest Corner LooKing SouthEast Hamilton Co OH #622# Caroline Kellam Dec 17 1997 Hami I+on Co OH Caroliae Kellam Dec 171997 #6222 Hamilton CO OH caroline Kellam Dec 17 1997 View of subbasement Hall areas looking West Cincinnati Historic Conserugtion Office Caroline Kellam Dec 17 1997 Hamilton County OH Caroline Kellam Dec 17 1997 View of Basement Sample Rook, Looking South Cincinnati Historic Cons ervatioh Office Hamilton co OH Cincinnati Historic Conservation Office View of Ist Floor Hall Looking East Caroline Kellam Dec 17 1997 Hamilton co Ot Laroline Kellah Dec 171997 #6222 Hamilton Co OH Caroline Kellam Dec 171997 Caroline Kellam Caroline Kellam View of 4th Floor Looking North East Hamilton Co OH Dec 17 1997 View of 5th Floor Looking NorthEast Laroliheke/lam Hamittoh Co OH Caroline Kellam Cincihnati Historic Conservation Hamilton Co OH Carolie Kellam Oec 17 1991 Carolie Kellam Dec 17 1ga7 Power Building 224E 8th street view of 8th Floor Looking North East Power Building 224 E gth street Hamilton co OH Caro line Kelan Caroline Kellam Power Building 224 E gthstreet Dec 17 1997 Hamilton co Ot Dec 17 1997 View of Root Looking North East Power Building 224 E gth Streey Carolihe Kellam 2229# Caroline Kellan 171997 Caroline Kellam Dec 171997 Detail ot Fright Elevalor Looking East Reference Number Nomination Form _X_ Photographs (#17) 99000276 USGS Map Property Name Hamilton, OH The following Core Documentation is missing from this entry: Missing Core Documentation County, State Power Building UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR COVINGTON QUADRANGLE STATE OF KENTUCKY COVINGTON, KY.-OHIO LITM REFERENCE: KENTUCKY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SCALE 1:24 000 ROAD CLASSIFICATION GEOLOGICAL SURVEY KENTUCKY-OHIO 1G715400/4331200 2246.8 AUG 0 51998 Two Centennial Plaza 805 Central Avenue August 4, 1998 Suite 720 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 352-4853 Fax Leon A.

Meyer Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board c/o Barb Powers, Department Head, Planning Inventory & Registration Ohio Historic Preservation Office 567 Hudson Street Columbus, Ohio 43211-1030 Dear Barb: At its meeting on August 3, 1998, the City of Cincinnati's Historic Conservation Board voted to support the National Register nomination for the Power Building located at 224 E. 8th Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Board found that the Power Building meets the criteria for architecture for its association with the noted Cincinnati architect Harry Hake and as a distinctive example of early 20t century Commercial architecture as applied to an industrial building. In addition, the building is significant as a particular building type for the technological Caroline Hardy Kellam City Planner Sincerely, tenants.

City of Cincinnati CHK/chk City Planning Department Director of City Planning process used within the building to generate electrical power that was used by the Equal Opportunity Employer (513) 352-4880 BY OHPO 1788 Ohio Historic Preservation Office 567 East Hudson Street Columbus, Ohio 43211-1030 614/ 297-2470 Fax: 614/ 297-2496 Visit us at www.ohiohistory.org/resource/histpres/ SINCE 1885 January 26, 1999 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief of Registration National Park Service National Register, History & Education Programs NEW SUBMISSION St. Francis Seminary If you have questions or comments about these documents, please contact this office. State Historic Preservation Officer Hamilton SOCIETY COUNTY Sincerely, Dear Ms. Shull: enclosures HISTORICAL Power Building 1849 C. Street, NW procedures have been followed for these new submissions. Amos J. Loveday, Jr.

Enclosed please find two (2) new National Register nominations. All appropriate notification Washington, D. C. 20240 Mail Stop 2280, Suite 400