Barr Hotel
Encyclopedia
The Barr Hotel is a historic hotel
on the eastern side of downtown Lima
, Ohio
, United States
. Built in 1914, the Neoclassical
hotel occupies the northeastern corner of the intersection of High and Union Streets.
tall; it rests on a concrete foundation and is covered by a flat roof. Next to this portion is a connected building, four stories high and also built of brick. Large sash window
s and Ionic
-capped pilaster
s are among the most distinctive elements of the primary portion of the hotel.
and as the home of the Lima Locomotive Works
. Many large buildings were erected in the city's downtown, including the still-standing Hotel Argonne
and the Ohio Theatre
. The Barr Hotel is a typical building of this period.
because of its significance in overall American history. As a little-altered example of Lima's golden years, the hotel was significant partially because of the unusually frequent destruction of historic buildings in Lima since the early twentieth century.
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
on the eastern side of downtown Lima
Lima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Built in 1914, the Neoclassical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
hotel occupies the northeastern corner of the intersection of High and Union Streets.
Architecture
The primary portion of the hotel is a brick building, seven storiesStorey
A storey or story is any level part of a building that could be used by people...
tall; it rests on a concrete foundation and is covered by a flat roof. Next to this portion is a connected building, four stories high and also built of brick. Large sash window
Sash window
A sash window or hung sash window is made of one or more movable panels or "sashes" that form a frame to hold panes of glass, which are often separated from other panes by narrow muntins...
s and Ionic
Ionic order
The Ionic order forms one of the three orders or organizational systems of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian...
-capped pilaster
Pilaster
A pilaster is a slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall. Most commonly flattened or rectangular in form, pilasters can also take a half-round form or the shape of any type of column, including tortile....
s are among the most distinctive elements of the primary portion of the hotel.
Historical context
During the early twentieth century, Lima experienced rapid growth as a result of its place as a hub for Standard OilStandard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
and as the home of the Lima Locomotive Works
Lima Locomotive Works
Lima Locomotive Works was an American firm that manufactured railroad locomotives from the 1870s through the 1950s. The company took the most distinctive part of its name from its main shops location in Lima, Ohio. The shops were located between the Baltimore & Ohio's Cincinnati-Toledo main line...
. Many large buildings were erected in the city's downtown, including the still-standing Hotel Argonne
Hotel Argonne
The Hotel Argonne is a historic hotel in downtown Lima, Ohio, United States. Built in 1919, the hotel was dedicated to veterans of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive during the recently-concluded World War....
and the Ohio Theatre
Ohio Theatre (Lima, Ohio)
The Ohio Theatre is a historic movie theater in downtown Lima, Ohio, United States. Built in 1927, the theater is a brick and concrete structure featuring multiple architectural styles...
. The Barr Hotel is a typical building of this period.
Recognition
In 1986, the Barr Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
because of its significance in overall American history. As a little-altered example of Lima's golden years, the hotel was significant partially because of the unusually frequent destruction of historic buildings in Lima since the early twentieth century.