email: roadarch@outlook.com

Ohio Mid-Century Modern Buildings (page 1)

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Pro Football Hall of Fame
Canton, OH
The Pro Football Hall of Fame was designed by Robert E. Forsythe and opened in 1963. The overhead photo, taken at the museum, shows the original two buildings (additional buildings have been added over the years). Because the building's design was circular with a ramp to the second floor, there was concern that visitors would bump their heads on the ceiling while walking up the ramp. Therefore, Forsythe created a dome - in the shape of a football. For more, see this website. [map]

Fire Station 42
Cleveland, OH		 Cleveland Municipal School District Building [gone]
Cleveland, OH
Fire Station 42 appears to be from the 1950s. Does anyone know more about this building? [map]

This dome was attached to the Cleveland Municipal School District Administration Building. It was built in the 1970s as the "Space Theatre," a planetarium for the School District. By 2018, the building had been demolished.

Imperial Entertainment Center [gone]
Toledo, OH
The Imperial Entertainment Center, aka "Ducat's Imperial Lanes", featured bowling and arcade games. In 2009, the building was demolished and will be replaced with a hospital. The building design was similar to that used for Royal Castle, an Ohio restaurant chain. For more, see this website.

AMF Brookgate Lanes
Brook Park, OH
The AMF Brookgate Lanes appears to be from the 1960s. This photo is from 2010. Around 2015, the building and canopy were painted grey and red. [map]

Town House Motor Lodge
Springfield, OH		 Allstate Insurance
Springfield, OH
The Town House Motor Lodge features this mid-century modern flourish. [map]

This Allstate Insurance office looks like it might have been a bank originally. Does anyone know the history of this building? [map]

Scioto Downs
Columbus, OH

2006:
2012:
Scioto Downs, a harness racing track, was built in 1958. The building was being remodeled in 2012 when the bottom photos were taken. The facade has been altered. However, I believe most of the mid-century modern details have been preserved. It reopened in 2012 as the Scioto Downs Racino. This photo was taken after the remodeling. It is now known as the Eldorado Scioto Downs. For more, see this website. [map]