Broom Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Broom Building
|
|
The Broom Building in 2009.
|
|
 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 701 Wheeling Ave., Cambridge, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.9 acres (0.36 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001976 |
| Added to NRHP | February 17, 1983 |
The Broom Building is a historic building found at 701 Wheeling Avenue in Cambridge, Ohio, United States. This special property was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 17, 1983. Being on this list means it's recognized as an important part of history!
Contents
A Look Back: The Broom Building's Story
Early Days: A Grocery Store
The land where the Broom Building stands was bought by a man named Adam Broom in the late 1800s. He wanted to use it for his business. In 1890, he built this large building in a special style called Italianate. Adam Broom ran his own grocery store here until around 1900.
New Owners and Uses
After Adam Broom, another grocer named William Harper bought the building. He continued to run a grocery store there from 1901 until 1917. Besides being a grocery store, the building was also used for the Practical Business College. This shows how useful the building was for different purposes over the years!
What the Broom Building Looks Like
Outside Features
The Broom Building is made of brick and has three stories. It's shaped like a rectangle to fit its spot. The corner of the building is rounded, and that's where the main entrance is. Another door is to the right of the main entrance, with a big window in between.
Windows and Details
Small rectangular windows are on the west side of the building. They let light into the first floor. Stone frames the doors and windows, which adds a nice touch to the brick walls. The second floor has long rectangular windows. These windows are set into rough-looking stone blocks.
Upper Floors and Roof
Brick columns, called pilasters, line the walls along the rounded corner. Windows are placed between these columns. All the windows on the second floor have a simple design. The third floor has the same type of windows, but they have a brick arch above them. A decorative stone piece is in the middle of each arch. A stone band also runs along the top of the third-floor windows, all the way around the building.
Special Touches
On the rounded corner, there's a stone block with the word "Broom" carved into it in big letters. The roof is flat and has a metal edge with fancy designs. This edge is held up by decorative supports. Large red brick chimneys rise from the roof, adding to the building's classic look.
Why It's a Historic Site
Joining the National Register
In early 1983, the Broom Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It earned this honor because of its important and unique architecture. Its design tells a story about the past.
A Rare Survivor
One big reason it was chosen was that it's one of the few Italianate-style buildings left in Cambridge that hasn't been changed much. Many Italianate buildings used to line Wheeling Avenue downtown, but most of them are gone today. The Broom Building is a special reminder of how the city used to look!
