Uptown District in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rankin Building
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 26, 2024
1. Rankin Building Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 39° 57.819′ N, 83° 0.1′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the Uptown District. It is at the intersection of West Gay Street and North Wall Street, on the right when traveling west on West Gay Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 W Gay St, Columbus OH 43215, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Scioto Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Refugee Tract (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Telephone Central Office in Columbus Ohio (about 600 feet away); Charity Newsies (about 600 feet away); First Office Building of the National Football League, 1927-1939 (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Charity Newsies (about 600 feet away); Intersect (about 600 feet away); The State House (about 700 feet away); Trinity Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Regarding Rankin Building. Excerpts from
this page online
Built in 1898-99 by L.L. Rankin, the Rankin Building flaunts a Neo-Classical facade added in 1930 when Union Building Savings and Loan Company moved into the building. Particularly fine details include engaged Ionic columns, a stone cornice with dentils, and a large round arch with stone molding. The building is unusual for the combination of its relatively small size in relation to the monumental facade.
The Rankin Building originally housed the Buckeye State Building and Loan Co., of which Mr. Rankin was the president. It was purported to have been the first absolutely fireproof business office building in the state when it was built. Absolutely no combustible material was to have been used in its construction. The third story was referred to as the Rankin Hall Auditorium.
Also see . . . Rankin Building (PDF). National Register nomination for the building, which was listed in 1980. (Prepared by Kathy A. Mast, Columbus Landmarks Foundation; via National Archives) (Submitted on June 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 26, 2024
2. Rankin Building Marker
Marker is below the second column from the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 436 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
