Old shoe factory in Ohio
Bradford Shoe Company Building, Columbus Ohio
The Bradford Shoe Company was founded in 1908 by Frank Bradford, a Columbus native. He acquired extensive experience in the shoe manufacturing and jobbing business through a series of jobs in the east and midwest. Prior to founding the company, Bradford served for several years as Vice-President of the C&E Shoe Company in Columbus. Upon its formation, the Bradford Shoe Company moved into an existing frame building at 232 Neilston but within a short time required more space. It appears that the firm used the brick building that was already standing at the rear of the site; then constructed a brick building in the open space between the two buildings; then demolished the frame structure and constructed the westernmost portion of the building that fronts on Neilston; thus blending the three structures into one.
According to a 1920 history of the city, Bradford was considered one of the leading businessmen in Columbus ". . . among the successful self-made men in Columbus whose efforts and influence contributed to the material upbuilding of the community, the late Frank Bradford, the able and popular president of the Bradford Shoe Company, occupied a conspicuous place . . . the Bradford Shoe Company becoming one of the most prosperous industries in Columbus. . . ." Bradford also held extensive interests in the Tracy-Wells Company (still an active business concern in Columbus) and the M.J. Rynan Company in Dubuque, Iowa. Bradford continued as president of the company until his death at age 57 in 1920. Family members continued to operate the company until 1926, when it was disbanded.
Since the Bradford Shoe Company ceased operation, the building has had a variety of light manufacturing and warehouse uses.
Building Description
The Bradford Shoe Company/Neilston Building is an early twentieth century industrial building located at 232 Neilston Avenue in downtown Columbus. The four-story, flat-roofed brick structure was constructed in three distinct parts, all of which have differences in construction and details.
The eastern third of the building is the oldest, dating from before 1899. The interior of the structure is entirely wood framing. The windows are simple rectangular openings with plain stone lintels and sills. A few of the original six-over-six and nine-over-six double-hung sash are intact, although most of the windows in this portion of the building now have only storm windows which replaced original one-over-one window sash. This building was probably originally used as either a warehouse or for light manufacturing.
The middle section of the building was built after 1899 but prior to 1910. It is constructed of paving bricks, which are larger in size than the building bricks used on the earlier section of the structure. The windows in this section of the building are similar in scale to those on the earliest portion, although segmental-arched openings rather than simple stone lintels are employed. This section might have also had multi-paned windows originally, but now has only storm windows like those on the eastern portion.
The newest section of the structure is the westernmost, also constructed of paving bricks, and built around 1910 to house the Bradford Shoe Company, which was founded in 1908. This section of the structure has a distinctly 20th century look to it with its concrete frame exterior expressed on the south elevation, concrete lintels on the north and west elevations, large of window openings with steel industrial-type sash, a shaped parapet with simple concrete coping, and decorative detailing and a concrete panel with the name "The Bradford Shoe Company" inscribed in it. The interior is of heavy timber construction.
All three buildings were used by the Bradford Shoe Company during the early years of the 20th-century. The interior spaces are typical of industrial spaces of the period, with a large open floor plan, heavy wood columns, wooden floor, and extensive natural light from the many windows and from the top floor skylights.
The Bradford Shoe Company/Neilston Building is located in the northeastern section of downtown Columbus, which is characterized by brick industrial/warehouse buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Looking northeast at south elevation (on right) and west elevation (on left) (1994)
Historic firm name in parapet of west elevation (1994)
Looking southeast at north elevation (on left) and west elevation (on right) (1994)
Looking southwest at east elevation (on left) and north elevation (on right) (1994)
Looking northwest at rear portion of south elevation (in center of photo) (1994)
Looking west on first floor, toward west end of building (1994)
Looking southwest at stairway between second and third floors (1994)
Looking east toward rear wall, third floor (1994)
