Union City Indiana - Ohio Walking Tour of Historical Sites
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Description
A two hour stroll through the early history of Union City Indiana - Ohio
1. Lambert Auto Tribute Murals
A couple of tips for for those of you that are taking this tour virtually rather than actually walking. First, you will have a much better experience by looking at the images while listening to the audio playback rather than reading the text. Second, there are two audio playbacks for each tour stop -- an Introduction and a Back Story. You need to click on them individually to get the full tour experience.To begin, find a parking spot near 211 W. Pearl Street. There should be plenty of curbside spots as well as a large lot on the south side of the street.We begin by walking two blocks east. On the north side of the street at 209 E. Elm, we can view murals, done by the noted muralist Pamela Bliss, that pay tribute to an early community entrepreneur, John William Lambert. John Lambert was a pioneer in the technology of what was then called the "horseless carriage" and he is credited with building the first working, gasoline-powered vehicle in America right here in Union City.
2. Indiana Ohio State Line
Walking a block west we arrive at the Indiana Ohio state line.In 1848, five separate railroads announced plans to connect at the Ohio-Indiana State Line where Union city is now located. Such a unique meeting of railroads made the town the most important railroad center in the region almost overnight. Within a few years, there were 16 passenger trains and 22 freight trains arriving and departing Union City every 24 hours.
3. Union City Post Office
Lets cross the state line here and stop here in front of the post office for a moment.Most of the sites on this tour are buildings that are of notable historical significance because they were built in the late 19th or early 20th centuries and their architectural details have been cited by professionals and governmental agencies as excellent examples of the architectural styles from that period. On this tour we will be describing some of these architectural details in laymen's terms in order to, hopefully, give you all a better appreciation of what makes these buildings historic. Once again, if you are taking the tour virtually, you'll have a much better experience viewing the pictures while listening to the audio narrative.So, here we have the United States Post Office of Indiana Ohio. Built in 1934 during the Great Depression, this building is an elegant example of Colonial Revival style architecture. This style came into vogue in the late 19th century as Americans celebrated the centennial of our country's founding and wanted buildings which honored that period. In 1996, the Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, or DHPA, classified this building as Outstanding for its historical significance.
4. 216 West Pearl Street
Moving west on Pearl street, we are now walking into the heart of the Commercial District which is included in the National Register of Historic places because, like the Post Office, nearly all of the buildings have architectural details from the popular styles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We are going to visit several of the buildings that were cited as particularly notable in the National Register.Here is an interesting building at 216 West Pearl. Built in 1893, this architect used both Italianate and Romanesque styles to enhance the visual appeal of a commercial building. Let me take a moment to explain an architectural term you'll be hearing today. Notice the three raised brick columns that rise to the full height of the building, one on either corner and the other in the center? Architects call these raised column-like features pilasters. Pilasters are decorative and not load bearing unlike true columns.
5. 201 N. Columbia the Raphael Kirshbaum Building
Walking west to the intersection of Pearl and Columbia streets we find the imposing Raphael Kirshbaum building at the northwest corner. Completed in 1880 it is an outstanding example of the Italianate Commercial style. It is the most faithfully restored commercial building in the district. In 1990 the building was nominated for inclusion into the National Register of Historic places by Ted Leahey on behalf of the Preservation Society of Union City Indiana Ohio and it was accepted into the Register that same year.
6. 207 N. Columbia
The building across the street on Columbia here is worth a mention. This is the Kerr Block building that William Kerr built in 1895. William Kerr was a tinner and he purchased a Tin and Stove store at this location in 1867. He grew his business be one of the largest and finest in the state and in 1896 he built one of the finest homes in town. We'll be visiting that house later in the tour.Proceeding north we come to 207 North Columbia.
7. 214 N. Columbia the Grahs Block
On the opposite side of the street two doors north is the Grahs Block at 214 North Columbia. The second floor presents a good example of the Romanesque Revival style which was broadly popular in mid-west towns in the late 19th century.
8. Fletcher Street Murals
Continuing north on Columbia street, we take a left into a wide alleyway where we encounter a mural depicting the storefronts as they were right here in the 1950's and 60's. The Sweet Shoppe depicted in the mural was a particular favorite of all ages and it is almost certain that every student attending high school in Union City during this time visited this diner at least once to gather with friends, sip a milk shake or a root beer float and play music on the table-top juke boxes in the booths. If you've ever been in a Johnny Rocket's restaurant which is a throwback tribute to the art deco style of the 50's, well that's what the Sweet Shoppe was like. Think Happy Days the TV series or the diner in Back to the Future One.
9. 310 W. Oak Street
Proceeding north we exit the Fletcher Street alleyway onto Oak Street. Just across the street to our right is the building at 310 West Oak. The second floor of this building retains notable details of both the Italianate and Romanesque styles.
10. 323 N. Columbia house
As we walk back to Columbia street and turn north we quickly leave the old commercial district behind. We are entering the residential district where many of the wealthiest folks built their homes in the late 19th and early 20th century. Our next stop is the home at 323 North Columbia street which is a beautifully restored example of Victorian Queen Ann style.Some of you might wonder what's the difference between plain old Victorian and Queen Ann Victorian. Well, all Victorian houses have a steep gabled, or what is commonly called "A-frame", roof with at least one window centered under the gable. Victorians also have a porch in front with a balustrade railing and usually the entry door will be to one side. So, as we can see, this house has all of those basic components.When wealthy folks began to add fancy and expensive architectural features to their homes, the name Queen Ann came to be used to indicate that a Victorian home has several of these elaborate and expensive features.
11. 408 N. Columbia Carnegie Public Library
Continuing north one block, across the street is the Carnegie Public Library. Built in 1904 in the Neoclassical Revival style, the library is arguably the most impressive building in Union City or even the entire county. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The library was built on the grounds of the city park which was the focal point of the most upscale residential neighborhood in town.The signature of Neoclassical style, which is derived from ancient Greek temples, is a columned portico that matches the height of the building and is capped by a frieze, cornice and pediment. Here the portico has four classical Corinthian columns supporting a stone frieze engraved with "Carnegie Library" topped by a dentilled cornice with a large, decoratively carved wooden pediment. On top of the pediment is a finial with a sphere and scrolls most likely to symbolize the knowledge of the world to be preserved within these walls.The massive walls rise in alternating courses of rough-faced and dressed limestone block topped with a wide, plain wooden frieze, a dentilled cornice and a quite substantial carved wooden balustrade. While the building appears quite tall, it is only one story. The height is enhanced by a full-height basement and unusually high ceilings inside. Above the exterior windows and the door we see a flat arch of rough-faced limestone block with a smooth keystone.The Neoclassical style emphasizes practical usage, vertical height and massive stone-work with minimal elaborate ornamentation – quite the opposite of Queen Ann style. If the library is open we should definitely go inside. It is worth a visit.
12. 501 N. Columbia Street the Kerr House
Walking to the northwest corner of the park we come to the intersection of Columbia and Division streets. Diagonally across the intersection at 501 North Columbia is one of the finest old homes in town. It is an impressive example of the Queen Ann style Victorian. This house was built in 1896 by William Kerr, the prominent businessman that built the Kerr Block buildings across from the Kirshbaum building.This home was submitted for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places by Susan Judelle Hufford in 1987 and officially entered into the register that same year.
13. 418 N. Howard House
Walking west one block on Division street, we turn left at the intersection with Howard street. On our left at 418 North Howard is an elaborate example of a Colonial Revival style home built in the 1920's. While the post office was Colonial style, the classical ornamentation was relatively muted. With this home, classical embellishments abound probably reflecting the exuberance of the Roaring 20's. In 1996, the Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, or DHPA, classified this building as Outstanding for its historical significance .
14. St Mary's Church
We continue south on Howard street to the intersection with Hickory street, and turn right. Half a block down on the left, the St. Mary's Catholic church comes into view. Built in 1891, this church is a beautiful example of the Gothic Revival style. The Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, or DHPA, classifies this building as Outstanding for its historical significance.The Gothic Cathedral style is a throwback to medieval times as Europe emerged from the dark ages and kings and bishops competed for God's favor building majestic cathedrals that emphasized height and vertical lines. Unlike the classical temples which had no openings in the interior walls, medieval builders sought to maximize interior light using many, large windows. Here we see the Gothic style in the sleek verticality of the building, doors and windows emphasized by pointed arches.
15. Union City Public School
Walking back north to Hickory street we turn left. One half block down the rear grounds of The Union City School come into sight. For over 90 years this area was the playground for Union City's school children. Lets walk around to the front.This school was built in 1920 on the site of the previous school which had been destroyed in a fire. This building is of historical significance as a physical connection to the time of consolidating public education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also of significance for its striking and well preserved architectural craftsmanship, both inside and out, which was used widely in rural schools of the era. The Union City School was nominated for inclusion into the the National Register of Historic Places by Ron Ross, an architect from Fort Wayne, in 2010 and it was accepted into the Register that same year.As you can see, the exterior of the school is largely inspired by Neoclassical style with it's imposing rectangular face, pilaster columns, and a substantial parapet of simply patterned brickwork above the windows. Massive, round arch entrances step forward on either end with muted yet elegant limestone detailing and carvings representing the Torch of Knowledge that is being passed on within these walls.
16. 506 W. Oak mix of Neoclassical and Colonial Revival
Walking eastward along Oak street we come to the intersection with Plum. On our left, we have a home at 506 W. Oak that was built in 1915. This house is rated by the state of Indiana as Outstanding for its historical significance reflecting architectural styles that were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
17. Christian and Methodist Churches intersection of Oak and Plum
Looking east across the street toward downtown we have the Christian church built in 1901 another fine example of Gothic Revival style.Rather than the brick was saw with the St. Mary's church, this exterior has been done in smooth stucco. However, once again we can see the key signatures of Gothic Revival style, -- the emphasis on steep verticality, pointed Gothic arches over the openings, abundant windows, tracery treatments at the top of the windows and pediments symbolizing exterior buttresses strengthening the walls.This building is also classified as of Outstanding historical significance by the Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology.
18. 502 W. Pearl House
Now we head south along Plum street we come to the intersection with Pearl street. On our right is the last house on our tour. Built around 1900, this house is a very fine and interesting example of Queen Ann style Victorian. It is classified as of Outstanding historical significance by the Indiana Department of Historical Preservation and Archaeology.
19. Military Tribute Park
Walking east now we come to the the intersection of Pearl and Howard streets and turn right. On our right is the Military Tribute park dedicated to honor and remember all those who've served and protected us in branches of the United States' armed forces.In 2020, the Military Tribute Park was created through a collaboration of Union City Mayor Chad Spence, The Preservation Society of Union City Indiana Ohio, American Legion Post #158 and other members of the community notably Ted Leahey, Greg Hufford and Todd Landess.
20. Union City Passenger Depot and Train Exhibit
Let's walk around the corner here toward the tracks and visit The Union City Passenger Depot and Train Exhibit. The depot and it's exhibits preserve Union City's last physical links to the railroads which were largely responsible for the community's founding and prosperity for over 100 years.The Passenger Depot was built in 1913, and nominated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places by Stephen Hoffman, an architectural student, and Brad Wilks, a journalist, on behalf of the Art Association of Randolph County. It was accepted into the National Register in 1983.
21. Artisan Crossing
Walking east across Howard Street we come to Artisan Crossing park. Here at the southwest corner of the park we find the Depot's old working mate, the Railroad Switching Tower. Built around the same time as the depot, these two structures partnered to watch over the safety and comfort of countless passengers and trains for nearly 40 years.In 2020, when city residents learned of the railroad's plans to demolish the old tower, an upswelling of community pride resulted in a crowd-funding effort that raised over $57,000 to have the tower moved one block to its present location near the depot. Here it stands in its original posture overlooking the tracks.The tower's exterior was restored to working condition and architectural features of note include a hipped roof with wide eaves in the Prairie style, double hung windows with limestone sills and a second story three sided Oriel window. Oriel is the name architects use for a bay window when it projects from the wall but does not reach down to the foundation.
22. Old Hotel and Museum
Fittingly, our tour ends at the Old Hotel, an historical building unto itself which houses the main town museum that is curated by the Preservation Society of Union City Indiana Ohio.Built around 1840, the Old Hotel was one of the first significant buildings in this area. It was originally built to house the railroad workers who were completing the juncture of several major rail lines connecting from here to Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis and many cities in between. From the 1850's on, it is safe to assume that the Old Hotel was a quite lively place. Oh if it could only speak, what stories it could surely tell.
