Barr Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Barr Hotel
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The smaller of the two buildings of the Barr Hotel
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 201-209 E. High and 200-218 N. Union Sts., Lima, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001053 |
| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1986 |
The Barr Hotel is a historic building located in downtown Lima, Ohio, United States. It was built in 1914 and stands out with its Neoclassical architecture style. This old hotel is found on the northeast corner where High and Union Streets meet.
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What Does the Barr Hotel Look Like?
The main part of the Barr Hotel is a seven-story building made of brick. It has a strong concrete base and a flat roof. Next to it is another connected building, which is four stories high and also made of brick.
Some of the most interesting parts of the main building are its large sash windows. These are windows that slide up and down. You can also see special columns called pilasters. These pilasters have fancy tops known as Ionic caps, which are a classic design from ancient Greece.
A Look Back in Time: The Hotel's History
In the early 1900s, Lima, Ohio, grew very quickly. This was because it was an important center for a big oil company called Standard Oil. It was also home to the Lima Locomotive Works, which made trains. Because of this growth, many large buildings were built downtown. The Barr Hotel is a great example of the buildings from this busy time.
The hotel officially opened in October 1916. It was first owned by a doctor named Eugene Jacob Barr and his son, Ortha Orrie Barr Sr. Ortha Orrie Barr Sr. later became a politician and served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1931 to 1935. In 1956, a businessman named C. O. Porter took over the hotel.
Why is the Barr Hotel Important?
In 1986, the Barr Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. The hotel was recognized because it shows what Lima was like during its "golden years." It's also special because many other old buildings in Lima were torn down over the years. The Barr Hotel has stayed mostly the same, which makes it a rare and valuable historical example.
The Barr Hotel Today
The entire building was updated in 1994. It was changed from a hotel into an apartment complex. These apartments have modern features and up-to-date comforts. The building is now called The Barr Apartments.
In 2010, Michael and Barbara O'Connor bought the building. They own a company called O'Connor Investment Properties. Today, the apartments are home to people who work in downtown Lima. Many local university students also live there.
