A month later in August 1963, local photographer John Fazio visited the central offices of the company and captured the images above, which accompanied an article by Ralph Neumeyer that appeared in the Journal on August 10, 1963.
The photos provide a nice glimpse of the employees in Lorain who played such an important role in the company's operations. We also see the outside of the building itself, well-remembered by many Lorainites who passed by the shipyards while driving on Colorado Avenue
As described in the article, "Erected at the top of a hill and giving a front view appearance of a one story structure, the building has a lower level which overlooks the yard facilities.
"The building is of brick with a partial front trim of imported Cardiff granite aggregate.
"Among its features, according to Elmer Hume, Amherst, who was general contractor and worked in conjunction with American Ship Building Co. engineers in designing the building, is unusual heating and ventilation.
"It is believed to be the first electrically heated office building in this area, and as a result a number of innovations were required in installing air conditioning.
"Because the shipyard area was originally the old river bed, and marshy, it was necessary to base the foundation on solid limestone 60 feet down.
"A new roadway parallel to Colorado Ave. was built to relieve traffic congestion along this busy thoroughfare.
"The offices are trim, functional and business-like, with paneling in the lobby and executive offices.
"On the upper floors are the lobby, executive offices, conference rooms, library and offices, for engineering, estimating, materials handling, purchasing and industrial engineering.
"The lower level includes accounting offices, a print shop, storage, mechanical equipment facilities and social room."
Today, there's no trace of the former office building of the American Ship Building Company in its old location near E. Street overlooking the redeveloped marina property.
Lots of familiar last names... even for a transplant like me.
ReplyDeleteThe president always gets the best stuff. When I worked at B.P. I sometimes had occasion to visit the "executive floor." Completely different world. Rich, thick carpets, solid wood on the walls and for doors, a quiet, almost silent atmosphere. It was kind of creepy, really.
No wonder such folks sometimes lose touch with commoners.
One bad thing about being that high up in the building. You could feel it moving around in high winds!
"A new roadway parallel to Colorado Ave. was built to relieve traffic congestion along this busy thoroughfare."
ReplyDeleteI have absolutely no idea what's being referred to here - I always remember Colorado being a two-lane street from East Erie south - unless the second lane is what they'e talking about.
There used to be a road running down to the shipyard right off of Colorado Ave.You can see the road entrance remnants right where Colorado Ave curves going south from East Erie.There is still a road going down to the shipyard now but it is a shortened tiny road.
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