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Toledo, Ohio, circa 1909. "Hotel Secor, Jefferson Avenue and Superior Street." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
Just so you all know a bit more about this building, I know a few things about it since I work on the sixth floor (I can actually "look" into my office on that photo).
The bottom floor now houses one of the best restaurants in Toledo, Registry Bistro. Along with the restaurant is an art gallery and a lobby that also acts as an art gallery. There is also an event space next to the restaurant. The second and third floors are used for a school, Horizon Science Academy. Above that, you can find an art gallery on the sixth floor along with the Toledo Opera offices and many artist studios. Along with the artist studios, there are also a few law offices on the top floors. Across the street is no longer a "liquor company" but instead the Commodore Perry Apartments (formerly a hotel as well). The Seagate Convention Center connects to the Secor Building (formerly "Secor Hotel") by way of some shared doors. The buildings that you see to the right "behind" the Secor Hotel no longer exist, instead paved over for loading areas for the Convention Center and hotels there.
It's exciting to find such a wonderful photo of the building I work in everyday. Toledo has many architectural wonders that have stood since the late 19th/early 20th century, harkening back to a time of economic prosperity.
From Google Streetview it appears the fancy suspended canopy and the balcony above are gone now. And the parked cars have been changed.
Why did canvas awnings fall out of favor? They seem like a swell energy-saving idea.
[Air-conditioning. Which the awnings be replaced with blinds, curtains and solar glass. - Dave]
The Brickbuilder and Architectural Monthly, 1909.Hotel Secor — Toledo.
The building is 120 feet by 169 feet, ten stories and basement. The cost was 24½ cents per cubic foot, measured from average footing level to highest part of roof, leaving out court. The building is equipped with three 250 horse power water-tube boilers; three generators; ice making and refrigeration plant; four plunger elevators; complete ventilating plant; artesian well; pumping plant, etc.
There is a ball room and convention hall on the ninth floor, and servant's quarters and laundry on the tenth floor. Every room has in connection either a complete bath room or toilet room with lavatory and watercloset.
…The architectural terra cotta used in the Hotel Secor … was furnished by the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company.
To know that it didn't burn in 1911!
The "Liquor Co. Base Ball" sign in the lower right corner serves as a reminder that today's Fifth Third Field, home to the Toledo Mud Hens, lies just one block to the south (right) of the Secor in this photo. Fifth Third Field is one of the best-designed, best looking minor league parks in the country.
The 1908 Mud Hens played at a place called Armory Park, several blocks to the north of the Secor.
We may have a winner of the Shorpy award for the Building Whose Appearance Has Changed the Least in 100+ Years.
And it's for lease if you want it, according the to Google maps.
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