Steubenville Commercial Historic District
Also known as: See Also:Steubenville YMCA Building
Why it's listed
Steubenville's downtown core, centered on the intersection of Fourth and Market Streets, was once the city's "100% corner" and the point from which street numbers are figured. The district holds 43 contributing structures, including nearly continuous commercial facades along Fourth Street and larger landmarks on Market Street. Most were built between 1900 and 1931, when the city saw its greatest population, industrial and commercial growth. Three skyscrapers define the skyline: the terra cotta Sinclair Building of 1915, the stone-faced Steubenville Bank & Trust Building and the red brick Fort Steuben Hotel of 1920. The 1874 Jefferson County Courthouse represents the Second Empire style, and a building at 408 Market Street, possibly from the 1860s, is an Italianate commercial example. The YMCA and Post Office reflect Neo-Classical Revival design. Eight terra cotta facades add Gothic, classical and Art Deco detail. Despite altered storefronts, the district keeps a cohesive scale and character.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the largest, most cohesive and architecturally varied commercial district in Jefferson County. It includes skyscrapers, a Second Empire courthouse, Neo-Classical Revival buildings and a notable group of terra cotta facades. Most buildings date from 1900-1931, the city's period of greatest growth.
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 86001877, listed August 21, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Roughly bounded by Washington, Court and Third, Market, and Eight and Commercial Sts., Steubenville |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | August 21, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001877 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architectural style | Varied late 19th and early 20th century styles including Italianate, Second Empire, Neo-Classical Revival, Art Deco and terra cotta commercial facades |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Mixed use: commercial and government buildings, mostly occupied. Many storefronts were altered in the 1960s-70s. The Fort Steuben Hotel's lobby and ballroom are described as deteriorated but intact, and the Grand Theater is not in use. |
| Acreage | 16 |
| Coordinates | 40.36101, -80.61490 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 86001877.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q49566255
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.