Joseph Weber & Brothers Wagon Works, 543-549 Salem Avenue, Dayton

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,57-DAYT,12-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This building is significant for its contribution to the commercial development of the Steele's Hill-Grafton Hill Historic District; a district which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in The district is composed mainly of late nineteenth and early twentieth century residential buildings expressed with a mix of architectural styles. For a description of the Steele's Hill-Grafton Hill Historic District, refer to HABS No. OH-2467. Description: This is a large two story building that has been extensively altered over the years. Original exterior architec- tural detailing has been lost at the main facade due to unsympa- thetic changes to the first floor and stucco wall treatment at the second floor. Original windows have been replaced with aluminum 1/1 sashes.

The only surviving older detail is the plain metal cornice which terminates at the corner of the main facade with large metal brackets. A small dormer pierces the slope of the hip at the roof. Later construction of adjacent buildings has partially blocked off portions of the original side facades. The surviving wall treatment is composed of common bond brick and the windows are 1/1 double hung wooden sash. Side facade windows are enframed with brick segmental lintels and plain stone lug sills. The rear facade exhibits original window bays with similar enframement as found on the side windows. Several additions obscure portions the rear facade.

These in- clude a one bay freight tower that extends the height of the building and a small one story shed addition extending off a portion of the first floor. A steel staircase also extends from the rear facade. The interior of the first floor has been altered to create a large open room and several smaller rear rooms. No original details have survived. A side stair leads from the main facade up to the second floor that contains eight apartments which were created in With the apartment construction, extensive rehabilitation work was undertaken that resulted in the loss of all historic architectural details. History: This building was constructed in to house the Joseph Weber and Brothers Wagon Works. This company was also known as the Dayton View Wagon Works.

The company manufactured and repaired wagons and carriages, painted decorative trim, and Joseph Weber and Brothers Wagon Works HABS No. OH-2464 (Page 2) undertook general blacksmith activities. It was a family business with Joseph and his brothers, Henry and George, as the proprietors. The company remained in operation until when it ceased business due to the decline in wagon sales and blacksmith activity. This wagon works was one of several that undertook business in Dayton. As the result of increased use of the automobile, most had ceased operation by the time this one had closed. Following the closing of the wagon works, the building was occupied by a number of businesses that required the large space offered by the building's two floors.

Included among these were a soft drink distributor, a plumbing supply company, a storage company, and an automobile parts supply company. In the second floor was remodeled to incorporate eight apart- ments. These were small in size and were rented out to low income individuals. By the first floor was occupied by a charitable organization known as the House of Bread. This is an organization which continues today to provided free lunches to low income patrons. The building will be demolished in order for the site to be incorporated into a new post office facility.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,57-DAYT,12-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Information used to prepare this documentation included the following: Montgomery County Recorder's Office, Title search. Prosser, Teresa, National Register of Historic Places Nomination- Inventory Form, Grafton Hill Historic District, Sanborn Insurance Map Company, Insurance Map of Dayton, Ohio, Volume 2, and revisions. William's Publishing Company, William's Dayton City Directory, various dates.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,57-DAYT,12-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

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