451 East Pleasant Street (commercial building), Springfield

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,12-SPRIF,14-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The building is a representative example of late century Italianate style neighborhood commercial architecture that survives with its basic form and many features intact. It is a large and somewhat rare example of late century neighborhood commercial architecture and is one of the taller landmarks of the neighborhood. Description: The building rests on a foundation of cut stone and takes the form of a long and fairly narrow rectangle. Its narrow form is accentuated by its relatively large height, towering above the surrounding frame residences. The building is two stories in height and has a commercial storefront on its first floor in front. This storefront is three bays wide, separated by newer brick piers.

Its storefront has been rebuilt, probably within the past 30 years, with newer brick, wood panels and glass block. Atop this storefront is the original cornice, comprised of a crown molding and simple <lentil course. Three long narrow rectangular windows are on the second floor in front, accented by cut stone sills and lintels. The front wall rises above the second floor to form a parapet with corbeled brick cornice. This cornice conceals the flat roof and steps back along the sides. The east side wall is blank and the west side wall, facing the street, has four second floor windows plus a rear entrance, apparently to a staircase leading to the upper floor. The rear wall is blank also.

Aside from the storefront alteration, the building seems to survive with its original external character largely intact. A passageway connects this building to a residence to the east, 453 E. Pleasant St. History: This building is probably one of the oldest neighborhood commercial buildings in the area, apparently dating from the late century, judging from its construction and architectural styling. A good time frame for its construction would be It evidently served as a neighborhood grocery store for some time It may have had some association with the George Weigel House, next door at 453 E. Pleasant St. It apparently shares a lot with this old residence. It has been vacant for some years. The upper floor may have housed a local meeting hall or have been home to a fraternal organization.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,12-SPRIF,14-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Springfield city directories. The building stands within the proposed Champion Historic District, which has been determined as an area potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places by the Ohio State Historic Officer. Copies of information used to make this determination of eligibility for National Register status are at the Springfield Department of Planning and Development and the Ohio Historic Preservation Office.