Posted May 12, 200619 yr Inspired by OTRFAN’s Art Deco Cincinnati thread, I decided to compile Hamilton’s art deco structures. I use the term somewhat loosely as a few of the structures presented here are not wholly art deco, but all include similar characteristics such as dramatic setbacks or strong vertical lines. A prominent building downtown, the Municipal Building exemplifies art deco. Built in 1935 as a WPA project, the design was presented at the American Architectural Exhibit at the Paris Exposition in 1937. The original doors Robert McCloskey, a Hamilton native who later became famous for authoring childrens books (Homer Price, etc.) carved numerous stones across the buildings façade as a young boy. One of the transoms Moving up High Street, the Second National Bank building replaced the old Masonic Temple in 1932 Don’t be alarmed Farther up High, the First National Bank building constructed in 1930 features several styles, including art deco Continuous window bays element Intricate transom similar to the Municipal Building Forgive the columns Again, no need to be alarmed A soon to be gone example, an addition to Mercy Hospital created an art deco entry, which was closed with an 80’s addition. I’ve spoke of the Palace Theater before, the retail portion is all that remains today as a small office building. Looking at this old image of the Municipal Building, you notice the new art deco streetlights which were installed down High Street in connection with the city building. Many of the old posts survive today to support traffic signals, particularily of Main Street. And only five survive in entirety at Twin Run, one of Hamilton’s fine municipal golf courses. Leaving downtown, Highland Park holds a beautiful deco single family home Just a block away sits Wilson Junior High School, the only older school to be renovated and reused under HCS’s rebuilding program. Gymnasium Arsonists caused a major fire in 1998, I think this portion of the building was rebuilt as a result. Crossing back over the river, this old warehouse on Erie Boulevard reminds one of deco A few years before Wilson, the district constructed Roosevelt Junior High When the district went back to one high school in the early 80’s, this building closed and students were moved to Garfield, the closed high school building. I’m not sure what the building is used for now, but the lot generally has many cars. And lastly, one of my favorites, the North Water Production Facility combines art deco with other styles to create a breathtaking piece of infrastructure. Hamilton Core Galleries Hamilton! - Gallery 1 - Downtown http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=10975.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 2 – Main Street Business District http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5108.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 3 - Dayton Lane Historic District http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5269.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 4 - Rossville Historic District http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5417.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 5 - Glorious Old Industry http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=6730.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 6 - German Village Historic District http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=6958.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 7 - Historic Highland Park http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=7208.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 8 - Southeast Neighborhood http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=7309.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 9 - Prospect Hill and Grandview http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=8025.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 10 - Forest Hills and Oak Park http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=8107.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 11 - Greenwood Cemetery and St. Stephen's Cemetery http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=8438.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 12 - Lindenwald http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=9336.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 13 - Hyde Park and Verlyn Place http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=8424.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 14 – Historic Images of City Life and Atmospheres http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=8668.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 15 – Art Deco etc. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=8830.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 16 - The Gardens of Rossville http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=9262.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 17 - The Northend and Fordson Heights http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=9501.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 18 - The East Avenue Ghetto and Jefferson http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=10146.0 Hamilton! - Gallery 19 - Butler County Soldiers, Sailors, and Pioneers Monument http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=10205.0
May 12, 200619 yr Nice collection. The municipal building is very attractive; restoring the entry with doors like the originals would make a significant difference, and I wouldn't think it would be terribly costly.
May 12, 200619 yr Very nice. The building on Eric Blvd. when I was young was a Pepsi Cola Bottling Plant. Not sure if that was the original use. I LOVE the old municipal building. I may be partial to it since my father worked there from the 50's to mid-80's. And Wilson is great The slide where you mention the fire that is actually a newer addition which I really think detracts from the historic front facade.
May 17, 200619 yr INK! zowie. I am in an Art Deco induced stupor. Wilson Junior is a classic. What a great collection. Those carvings are gems too. Thank you so much for that hard work.
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