Beasley Building
Also known as: The Beasley; F.J. Beasley Milling & Wholesale Co.
Why it's listed
Rising three stories above a full basement at 93 West Union Street in Athens, Ohio, this nearly square warehouse has load-bearing brick walls and an interior of heavy timber columns, girders and joists. Construction began in 1904 after the Eldridge & Higgins Company acquired the lot, and substantial building was recorded by 1906. Charles C. Higgins, apparently a miller, took ownership in 1907. Frank J. Beasley bought it in 1917, and his family held it until 1973. In the 1920s it housed an electrically operated gristmill and a wholesale grocery business. Milling ended in the 1930s, and the Beasleys became wholesalers for the Clover Stores chain until operations stopped in the early 1950s. Horizontal brick coursing, a strong eave cornice and arched third-floor windows give it a balanced look. It is listed as a rare surviving example of Athens warehouse architecture and of the milling and grocery trades that shaped the city's west-side industrial area near the canal and railroad.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a classic multi-story warehouse of the late 19th and early 20th century and the best example of that type in Athens. It is also tied to the city's commerce through grain milling and later wholesale grocery distribution, and was probably the area's largest electrically powered mill.
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 82001358, listed October 7, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 93 W. Union St., Athens |
|---|---|
| County | Athens County |
| Listed | October 7, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001358 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and occupied, with most of the building used by a moving and storage company. Later additions were slated for removal during restoration. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.32889, -82.10495 (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 82001358.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4876831
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.