Director

Built in 1895, the building we see today is largely different from when it was built due to the Lorain tornado. The structure originally boasted a Richardsonian-Romanesque style with a tall parapet and false extension of the façade. The store front had a large central stone arch which, like most of the building, was destroyed in the 1924 tornado. Currently, the building is the location of the Bootlegger’s Den, but, throughout its history, businesses such as Woolworth’s Dime Store, SS Weber Shoes, Boston Shoe Store, and Title Insurance Co. found home in the brick structure along Broadway

Bootlegger's Den

Lorain, Ohio has such a vast and fruitful history. Seated along the Black RIver and once an industrial powerhouse, Lorain was the epitome of perseverance and optimism. The downtown area had some of the best shops in northeastern Ohio and drew crowds from all over. This tour is to shine a light on the history of success in the downtown area, while also highlighting all that Lorain has to offer still today.

The Lorain Historical Society acquired this building in 2013 with the financial support of community members. A century prior, residents of Lorain raised over $30,000 to fund the construction of this building as a community library with matching funds from the Andrew Carnegie Building Foundation. Industrialist Andrew Carnegie provided matching grants for communities throughout the nation at the turn of the century which spurred the construction of hundreds of libraries.&nbsp;

The Carnegie Center is located in Lorain's historic 1903 Carnegie Library and houses local history exhibits, a small archive for genealogists and researchers, the museum store, and the administrative offices of the Lorain Historical Society. 

Lorain Historical Society - Carnegie Center

<p>This Georgian Revival with elements of English Baraque was built in 1909 by William Seher and cost $15,000. Seher was known as one of the most prominent business men from Lorain and was a General Manager of Lorain Brewing Co., President of Lorain Crystal Ice Co., and the director of National Bank Commerce. The building features a porch made of heavy masonry ornamentation and Spanish tile roof. The structure began as a private residence then turned into Slattery Studio, a motion picture processing lab. The house is currently operating as the Chateau de Charleston, which is a Bed and Breakfast as well as an event space. </p>

William Seher House

The cornerstone of this building was laid in 1918. Originally, this was the Agudath B’nai Israel Synagogue, which was built to consolidate the three Jewish congregations in Lorain into one, and had its first service in 1925. This Byzantine-styled synagogue is known for its forty-foot diameter dome sitting on walls in an octagon, each of which has a rose window. The doors were made of oak with beautiful bronze hardware of the Star of David and the menorah. In 1974, the building was sold to the New Bethel Primitive Baptist congregation. Today the building sits empty as the Baptist congregation has moved to another location.

New Bethel Primitive Baptist/Agudath B'nai Israel Synagogue

The first congregation at this location formed in 1880. The current High Victorian Gothic style building is mostly original even though it was hit by the 1924 tornado. All of the walls stayed standing, but the roof, interior, windows, and spire were all destroyed. They were able to restore the church completely with a few alterations, notably a much shorter spire.  Its main distention architecturally is its use of red brick and very linear details.



St. John's United Church of Christ

The Emmanuel Evangelical congregation was founded in 1851, and built their first church in 1855, when the area was known as Black River. This was the oldest church in Lorain until it was replaced in 1889, which was eventually destroyed in the devastating Lorain Tornado in 1924. The current building was built in 1925. This grand, Neo-Classical structure is notable for its large portico topped by a pediment emblazoned with the original congregations name supported by Doric columnns.  Another noteworthy feature is its large white cross rising from the tallest point of the structure. Later the congregation became New Dimension International Worship Center, but it now stands vacant

Emmanuel Evangelical 

Originally built in 1892, this Methodist Church was destroyed in the tornado in 1926 and the current cobblestone Gothic Revival structure was erected in 1926. This building is notable for its pointed arched doorways and windows. In 2001 Vincent United Methodist and First United Methodist merged into Cornerstone Methodist Church. In 2005 Greater Victory Christian Ministries moved into the space.

Cornerstone Methodist Church/Greater Victory Christian Ministries 

&nbsp;The Lorain Historical Society maintains a number of one-of-a kind books and historic photographs at their main headquarters building at the&nbsp;Carnegie Center.&nbsp;The organization&nbsp;has also recorded a number of interviews of long-time residents that offer a variety of perspectives on the history of the community. One of those interviews is linked to this entry-more interviews can be found on their YouTube channel or on their Facebook page.&nbsp;

This beautiful local history house museum is operated by the Lorain Historical Society and offers a unique view of what the city of Lorain was like for members of the Moore family during the boom years of the 1920s. There are tours offered of the home every Tuesday and special themed tours offered twice a month. Each tour explores a theme from the 1920s. 

Lorain Historical Society - Moore House Museum

This congregation was founded in 1872, when Lorain was known as Charleston Village and only had a population of 600. Its first building began construction in 1876 and was destroyed in the 1924 Lorain Tornado. The current building was built in 1926. It is a Colonial Revival, as it takes aspects from both Georgian and Neo-Classical styles. It is easily identified by its reddish orange brick and red brick with white trim along the windows and cornice, representing its Georgian aspects. It also has a symmetrical façade with four Doric columnns, showing its Neo-Classical characteristics. This congregation was known for being very progressive as it raised awareness for civil rights in the city and began Habitat for Humanity in the county.

First Congregation Church

This 60-foot structure was built shortly after the tornado in 1924 as the first home of Lorain’s Mother Masonic Lodge No. 552, which was originally organized in 1889. This building is Beaux Arts, Neo-Classical style, made apparent by its Greek Doric columnns lining the exterior walls to replicate King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, and its symmetrical design, including its grand entrances, modular windows and ornate cornice. This building is now home to New Deliverance Ministries.

Masonic Lodge/New Deliverance Ministries

This fire station, which was built in 1912, served as the Lorain fire station for 60+ years. When it was built, it was the most modernized fire station in the area and rivaled fire stations in downtown Cleveland. The architect was Hamilton E. Ford and he also made the Duane Building and the Steel Company Office Building. The building was designed to be up to date with the most modern equipment, but was built aesthetically to fit into the neighborhood it resided, which was mostly residential houses. The roof was badly damaged in the 1924 tornado, but the structure survived. In the mid-1970s, the fire department moved their location down Broadway. The building then served as a home to the Elyria Savings and Trust Company, as well as the Lorain Treasurer’s Office. 

Fire Station #1

Being one of the most historical and famous buildings in Lorain, this Renaissance Revival and Beaux Arts building was opened to the public in 1923. Not long after the hotel opening, half of the roof was torn away by the 1924 tornado. After the tornado, the Red Cross had its headquarters at the hotel. The building boasts 87 guest rooms, as well as a ballroom which could accommodate 1,200 people. Throughout its history, there have been questionable illegal operations that occurred within the building such as liquor being made by lodge members during the prohibition, ultimately ending in their arrest, and the owner of the building being arrested in the 1960s. Illegal activities aside, the building was a source of pride. During the Depression, the ballroom was closed and workers only worked part time. However, after WW2 ended, dances were constant, the WEOL radio station went on air in the building, wrestling and boxing matches took place, and basketball games took place, the most notable team playing here being the Boston Celtics. The Romanesque architecture building, with paneled beams and marble floors, once housed to many restaurants, beauty salons, fitness and dance studios, and flower shops, survived calls for demolition and now serves as an apartment complex.

The Antlers

City hall was dedicated on December 16, 1973. The building boasts a brick-brutalist style and has a combination of large concrete modules. The concrete pillars and jutting out roof are two notable features. There is complex brick work and is asymmetrical but has a simple style. The contemporary building is home to the mayor’s office, police dept., fire dept., city council, law dept., utility depts., health dept., courts, and economic and community development dept., to name a few. 

Lorain City Hall

The “Bowen Block”, built in 1894, is one of the few buildings that survived the 1924 tornado unscathed. The building reveals a split rock façade and contributed to Lorain’s economic power by hosting businesses such as Sylvester Drug Store, Koury Michael F. Realtor, Miller Chuck Insurance Agency, Mrs. Ella McKee Shoes, Peoples Service Drug Store, and Libra Leatherwork throughout its life time. The building now serves as a private residence.

T.R. Bowen Building

Built in 1907, this rust colored glazed brick building with fluted stone pilasters and ornamentation was home for many big named businesses throughout Lorain’s history. The second floor has a large display window which makes this building a gem in Lorain. The structure was home to businesses such as Lorain Hardware, Lorain County Community Action Agency, Nationwide Insurance, Davidson Audit Co., Amerititle Co. Inc., and other attorney and insurance companies. Although the 1924 tornado blew off the fourth floor of this building, it remains standing in all its beauty and unique design.

Former Lorain Hardware

This Neo-Gothic building with its arched windows and ornate parapets was built in 1927, after the previous building was destroyed in the 1924 tornado. The current shop that resides out of the building is The 530 Shop, which has been selling antiques since 2002. The owner’s family once had four separate businesses along Broadway and his family has owned this building location since its construction in 1927. During hard financial times, the family allowed others businesses to use to the store front. Some of these businesses include Horn Bros Meats, Richman Bros Co. Men’s Clothing, Wickens and Wilkins Furniture, and Clear Sylk Hosiery Stores. Although other businesses have operated out of 530 Broadway Ave., this one family has remained loyal to downtown Lorain since the tornado and still serves as a reminder of the perseverance and determination of the Lorain mindset.

The 530 Shop

The Lorain Palace Theater, which was formerly known as Lorain Palace Civic Center, was the first movie theater in Ohio to show a "talking" motion picture. Opened in 1928, this 1,720 seat theater is the largest one-floor theater in the state. The building was designed without a balcony so there would not be a collapse if there were another natural disaster like the 1924 tornado. The exterior has classical detailing as well as beautiful mosaics and frescoes. When built, H.G. Curtis, the Secretary of Chamber of Commerce claimed: “Lorain now has one of the finest theaters in America”. The theater has hosted many notable performers throughout its history such as Freddie Martin, Don Novello, Bernie Allen, Cleveland Orchestra, Chubby Checker, Jethro Tull, and Michael Stanley. The building is still greatly utilized by the community in many different ways, such as movies showings, a graduation hall, community events, galas, plays (youth, amateur, and professional), weddings, and other social events.

Lorain Palace Theater

Formerly the site of the old Century Building, which burned down during a massive fire in 1928, the Gould Block has remained standing since it was built in 1928 by Joe Gould for $225,000. Gould was the president of the People’s Savings Bank and Steel Stamping Co. The building has a terracotta façade with a Neoclassical/Renaissance Revival style. Along the face of the building, there are caduceus symbols because Gould was involved in the health community. Centrally located along Broadway, the Gould Block housed some of the most famous shops to appear in downtown Lorain. During its heyday, shops such as Kline’s Department Store, which was the largest retailer in Lorain County at the time, J.C. Penney, Jupiter Discount Store, Herman-Kirchner furniture store, Sears, and Woolworths all utilized the shops on the block. After being the main focus of attention to downtown dwellers for decades, the building now houses Charleston Coffeehouse instead of a department store.

Gould Block

The brick building with its false balcony contained businesses such as Witt Music Store, Myers Bernanrd H. Wallpaper, Kent Clothes, Myers Electric Equipment, and, for the majority of the building’s life, McCahon Printers. Revival CLE resides in the building today. 

McCahon Building

Formerly the Pantheon Theatre, the Tender family bought this building in 1923 and later renamed it the Tivoli Theatre. The family changed the main form of entertainment in the 700-seat theater from burlesque shows to film. The theater showed its last films in 1977 and served as a bingo hall until it was demolished in 1985. In the early 2000s, the building was reconstructed to mirror its former appearance and became the headquarters for FireFish. Now, United Way resides in the building.

Tivoli Theatre

This building was an integral part of Lorain’s success with its Beaux-Arts Elemental design. The building has held many different businesses over the years, such as Lloyd’s Bar, Witt Music Store, Beneficial Finance Co. of Lorain, and Gelman Abraham Fruits. In 1941, Sun Novelty moved into the brick building and has been open ever since, providing materials to teachers from all over northern Ohio.

Sun Novelty

In 1958, Nielsen Jewelers moved to this new location, which was very modern and geometric for a shop on Broadway, after having resided at 419 Broadway since 1903. This family-owned jewelry store traces its lineage back to 1694 Denmark and has been in Lorain since 1877.

Nielsen Jewlers

This brick building, built in 1910, served as the lodge for the Odd Fellows until 1937 when the lodge merged with the Pythian lodge. The original location was the Walburton home, but the lot was purchased in 1908 for $3,500. This was the first Lorain building constructed solely for a fraternal organization, with buildings such as the Antlers and Eagles following shortly after. The first floor offered two commercial floor spaces, the second floor was a club and billiards room, and the third floor was allocated for lodge purposes only. This building was the only lodge building to survive the 1924 tornado. After the Odd Fellows left, many businesses took over here, such as Hageman Wholesale Grocery, Lorain Auburn Sales Company, Edward Beetler Garage, International Bible Students Association, William C. Edwards Wholesale Grocery, and Kalamazoo Stove and Furnace Company, to name a few. For a while, the American Felsol Co. owned the building and used it for their lab, factory, and offices. The YWCA utilized the structure for a time as well and turned the second floor into a gym. Many businesses resided in the building and helped to spearhead the downtown area to the success that it eventually became. The building is now used by Planned Parenthood, but the American Felsol Co. name is still showing above the door as a remembrance of the history of the building.

Historical and Architectural Tour of Downtown Lorain

Bootlegger's Den

Introduction

Images