Ledger-Enquirer Building
Why it's listed
Completed in April 1931 at 17 W. 12th Street in Columbus, this Mediterranean-style building was constructed for the R. W. Page Corp. to house the city's two daily newspapers, The Columbus Enquirer and The Columbus Ledger. The Enquirer dates to 1828 and the Ledger to 1886. It was the first structure in Columbus used exclusively for publishing. Built on a sloping lot, it rises two stories at the east end and three at the west, with a steel frame, stucco over brick walls and terra cotta detailing. Carved terra cotta panels recall Louis Sullivan, shell-capped pilasters divide the eight-bay facade, and an octagonal bell tower marks the east pavilion. The local architect designed it after touring California and Florida, and it is regarded as the city's finest Mediterranean building. Both newspapers are Pulitzer Prize winners. A rear addition was designed by the original architect, James J. W. Biggers Sr., and the building's integrity remains intact.
Significance in brief: It is described as the finest Mediterranean building in Columbus, blending Louis Sullivan-style ornament with stucco, tile and parapet treatment. It has also housed both of the city's daily newspapers since 1931 and was the first structure built exclusively for publishing in Columbus.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80001183, listed December 2, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 17 W. 12th St., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Muscogee County |
| Listed | December 2, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001183 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Smith and Biggers, Architects (of Columbus) |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as offices for both Columbus daily newspapers; integrity described as intact, with a rear addition designed by the original architect. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.46839, -84.99450 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80001183.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134427355
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.