Orton Memorial Laboratory
Why it's listed
Built in 1929 at 1445 Summit Street in Columbus, this three-story brick building housed the pyrometric cone manufacturing and ceramic research work of Edward Orton, Jr. Orton had helped establish Ohio State University's ceramics department in the 1890s and perfected the standard pyrometric cone in 1896, giving industry a reliable way to measure kiln temperatures. His company supplied about ninety-five percent of cones used in the United States. Architect Howard Dwight Smith, who had worked for John Russell Pope, designed the laboratory with classical details so it would fit among neighboring houses. Terra cotta lamps, festoons, medallions and patera decorate a two-story Corinthian portico and the sides, while brick quoins and spandrels show other ceramic uses. Two-story additions followed in 1956 and 1962. After Orton died in 1932, a foundation created by his will continued cone production and research at the site until 1981. The building is valued for both Orton's legacy and Smith's design.
Significance in brief: The nomination ties the building to Edward Orton, Jr., who perfected the standard pyrometric cone in 1896 and advanced ceramic research and teaching. It is also significant architecturally as an industrial building designed to blend into a residential neighborhood with classical ornament, and as work of Columbus architect Howard Dwight Smith.
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 83004292, listed November 25, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1445 Summit St., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | November 25, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004292 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific dates 1929, 1956, 1962) |
| Architect / builder | Howard Dwight Smith, Architect |
| Architectural style | Neo-classical Revival influence |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in excellent condition, altered by later additions; the ceramic foundation moved out in 1981 and the building is now occupied by a telecommunications firm. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.99235, -83.00179 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 83004292.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q96397774
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.