Lorain YMCA Building
Also known as: USS/Kobe Steel Company Services Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1924 on East 28th Street in Lorain, Ohio, this three-story brick building replaced an earlier YMCA that was devastated by fire in 1920. The reconstruction cost $240,000, with National Tube contributing $150,000 and the remainder raised locally. Its Second Renaissance Revival design includes limestone trim, a balustraded parapet, and two elaborate entrances once used by men and by boys. Inside were a large swimming pool, two gymnasiums, and hotel rooms on the upper floors. The YMCA served workers of the nearby steel mills, offering recreation and education and helping immigrant employees adjust to life in the city. Lorain's dependence on a single industry created an unusually strong link between the mills and the Y. After a new YMCA opened on the west side in 1970, the older building closed and was remodeled as offices for the steel company. The original pool and one gymnasium survive.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant under Criterion A in social history as an example of the Progressive-era YMCA effort to meet the social and moral needs of industrial workers. It is closely tied to the growth of Lorain's steel industry and the acculturation of immigrant steel workers. It was one of the few industrial-association YMCA facilities in Ohio outside major cities.
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 92000886, listed July 16, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of E. 28th St. and Pearl Ave., Lorain |
|---|---|
| County | Lorain County |
| Listed | July 16, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000886 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1924-1942 |
| Architect / builder | Rissman, Paul A. |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance (described in the text as Second Renaissance Revival) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as offices (Services Building of USS/Kobe Steel Company) since the old YMCA closed in the 1970s; the swimming pool is intact but no longer in use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.44657, -82.13773 (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 92000886.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138511998
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.