Johnson Steel Street Railway Company General Offices Building
Also known as: USS/Kobe Steel Company General Offices Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1894 at the corner of East 28th Street and Pearl Avenue in South Lorain, this three-story brick office building was the centerpiece of the first group of structures put up by the Johnson Steel Street Railway Company. Architect Hamilton E. Ford gave it rock-faced sandstone trim, a massive arched entrance portico, three distinct towers and a steep hipped roof with dormers, combining Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne elements. The company's move to Lorain, led by former Cleveland mayor Tom L. Johnson, helped grow the town from about 1,500 people in 1880 to some 20,000 by 1902 and drew other industries. The building continued as headquarters after the mill became part of U.S. Steel, and it has survived without additions or major alterations. Original vault doors and woodwork remain inside, and recent restoration repaired the cornice, masonry, roofing and tower finials. It is regarded as the most outstanding surviving example of its style in Lorain.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building represents the founding of Lorain's steel industry, which transformed a small port into one of Ohio's leading industrial cities. It is also presented as the best surviving Richardsonian Romanesque building in Lorain, with Queen Anne-influenced features. It has kept a high degree of integrity and has served continuously as the steel mill's offices.
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 92000887, listed July 16, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1807 E. 28th St., Lorain |
|---|---|
| County | Lorain County |
| Listed | July 16, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000887 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1894-1941 |
| Architect / builder | Ford, Hamilton E. |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still serves its original function as the headquarters for the steel plant's operations; its exterior masonry and cornice were recently cleaned and restored. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.44672, -82.14120 (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 92000887.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138512014
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.