McCrory Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1924-25, this three-story, L-shaped commercial building at the corner of Federal Plaza West and Central Square was erected for the McCrory's general merchandise chain. Its steel frame is clad in terra cotta, and two nearly identical main facades face Central Square and Federal Plaza West. Each has a pier-and-spandrel layout with paired one-over-one wood windows in three bays, a round-arched cornice, decorated spandrel panels and raised quoins at the corners. The first story has been replaced with porcelain panels and an aluminum storefront, though the glass, recessed entries and cloth awning blend with the overall design. The building was listed for its part in downtown Youngstown's growth as a retail center and for its architecture. By 1925 the local store employed 45 people and belonged to a chain of 200 stores. The L-shaped site allowed customers to arrive from two major downtown streets. The building keeps much of its original integrity.
Significance in brief: The building is significant for its role in developing downtown Youngstown as a retail center and as an early example of a chain store's influence on downtowns. It is also significant for its highly decorative terra cotta facades, which are among the most intact in the downtown.
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 86001928, listed July 23, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 9--13 Federal Plaza W and 17--19 Central Sq., Youngstown |
|---|---|
| County | Mahoning County |
| Listed | July 23, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001928 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in commercial use as a McCrory's store; condition listed as good (interior) and excellent (exterior). The first story was altered with porcelain panels and an aluminum storefront. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.10006, -80.63529 (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 86001928.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138568583
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.