Neal Clothing
About this property
The Neal Clothing Building is the oldest existing building on the central square of Lima, Ohio, United States. Built before the end of the Civil War, it has been recognized as historically significant as a representative of the city's earliest period. This two-story brick building lies on the northeastern corner of Public Square at the heart of the city. Among its distinctive architectural features are three rounded arch windows with sash panes, metal brackets, and multiple finials. Although some of the facade has been modified, an original metal awning covers the recessed entrance. The Neal Clothing Building is the sole surviving building from downtown Lima's earliest period, and it appears in even the oldest pictures of the northeastern corner of the square. At this time, the city's economy was dependent primarily on the agriculture of the surrounding countryside. During the 1870s, the city's commerce grew as railroads expanded into the area, and several large commercial buildings, including the still-standing Union Block, were built on Public Square during this time. Further growth occurred after petroleum was found in the city's vicinity in 1885; as Lima's population grew 300% from 1880 to 1900, the need for larger buildings was apparent, and many ornate commercial structures were erected in the city during this period. As the boom continued into the twentieth century, other significant buildings were erected on Public Square, including the First National Bank and Trust Building. In 1982, the Neal Clothing Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its historic architecture. Sixteen other downtown buildings, all newer, were added to the Register at the same time as part of the "Lima Multiple Resource Area," a collection of architecturally-significant buildings.
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Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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Questions about this property
When was Neal Clothing listed on the National Register?
Neal Clothing was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 6, 1982.
What type of historic resource is Neal Clothing?
Neal Clothing is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Neal Clothing?
The period of significance for Neal Clothing is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Neal Clothing?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Neal Clothing will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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