Old Railroad Station
Also known as: Elyria Academy of Beauty
Why it's listed
Built in 1924 at the corner of Depot Street and East Avenue in Elyria, this two-story brick and stone building began as a passenger railroad station and now houses a school. Its design is NeoClassical, with pilasters and a cornice, but the ornamentation is streamlined and simplified in a way that reflects the emerging Art Deco style. The station was described as the last of the grand railroad stations, completed before railroads began their decline during the Depression. When it opened, it was called the finest passenger facility of the Lake Shore Line between Cleveland and Chicago. Inside, a skylit octagonal lobby has been divided into two levels, though the skylight can still be seen on the upper floor, and the elaborate waiting room has been remodeled. The building fills its entire lot, with loading platforms along Depot Street. Its exterior remains in very good condition, and its Art Deco detailing is considered important within Elyria's architectural context.
Significance in brief: The inventory describes it as the last of the grand railroad stations, built before railroads declined in the Depression. When opened it was described as the finest passenger facility of the Lake Shore Line between Cleveland and Chicago. Its streamlined Art Deco detailing is cited as important in the Elyria context.
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 79002714, listed August 13, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 49 East Ave., Elyria |
|---|---|
| County | Lorain County |
| Listed | August 13, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002714 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Alfred Felheime (architect or engineer); Stewart Wagner; G. C. Cleveland, Engineer |
| Architectural style | Modern-NeoClassical |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now used as a school building; exterior in very good condition, interior altered; not endangered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Elyria Downtown-West Avenue Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.36836, -82.10348 (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 79002714.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138497458
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.