Arcade Hotel
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Why it's listed
Arcade Hotel in Springfield, Ohio, combines a hotel and an indoor shopping arcade in one large brick building at Fountain Avenue and High Street. Built in 1883 and designed by local architect Charles Cregar, it was constructed by Oliver Kelly, one of the owners of the reaper works that once occupied the site. A surviving four-story Italianate building from that works forms the northwest corner, contrasting with the simpler three-story hotel around it. The structure measures 150 by 340 feet, with about 25 shops lining a skylighted arcade under a glass roof carried on metal trusses, and 115 guest rooms above. Its location joined the main route to the railroad station with the central business district. The arcade is regarded as an ancestor of the modern shopping mall, and the building is considered one of very few arcades in Ohio. At the time of listing, redevelopment plans threatened it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a well-preserved early example of arcade-style business architecture, the forerunner of the modern shopping mall, and is unique in this part of Ohio with one of the few arcades in the state. Contemporary writers praised it as one of the finest structures in Springfield. It was also considered threatened by redevelopment plans.
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 74001410, listed October 16, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Fountain Ave. and High St., Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Clark County |
| Listed | October 16, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001410 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1883 |
| Architect / builder | Architect Charles Cregar; built by Oliver Kelly |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Partly occupied: most arcade shops are occupied and about half the hotel is in use, while the other half needs immediate repairs. The lobby, dining room, bar and billiard room are not in use. Exterior brick and trim were recently painted and are in good condition. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 39.92268, -83.80999 (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 74001410.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4785078
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.