Commercial Block, 551-555 Salem Avenue, Dayton

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,57-DAYT,6-. 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 one story, asymmetrical in plan, brick, Commercial style building. The original storefronts located along Salem Avenue have been extensively altered with the use of incompatible brick inf ill at one storefront bay and the removal of original materials and use of plywood at the second storefront bay.

A smaller storefront bay and companion entry is located towards the rear of the building along North Avenue. The main entry bay at the corner is truncated at an angle to the inter- section. A decorative cornice extends across both the Salem and North Avenue facades. This is surmounted with a moderate parapet wall. The rear walls conform to a property line which has resulted in the building having been constructed with a truncated plan. Several windows, located along the rear walls, have been blocked up with wood. Several doors have been permanently closed. The interior spaces have been extensively altered over the years with no significant details having survived. History: This building was constructed in by William Barnes as an investment. Mr.

Barnes was the owner of several drug stores in Dayton. The first tenants were a tire sales business and a candy store. Throughout the years, the building housed a variety of retail uses which have included a tailor, sewing shop, beauty shop, bakery, liquor store, bar, novelties, and herb sales company. At the present time, an appliance re-sale store and beauty shop are the tenants. The building will be demolished in order for the site to be incorporated into a new postal facility. Commercial Block HABS No. OH-2465 (Page 2)

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,57-DAYT,6-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Information used to prepare this documentation include the following: Montgomery County Recorder's Office, Title Search. Prosser, Teresa, National Register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination 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,6-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

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