Abandoned hotel in Ohio


Marting Hotel, Ironton Ohio
Date added: February 08, 2023
North (front) Elevation - southeast corner of Park Avenue & South Second Street, from Second Street (1998)

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Marting Hotel was the first major hotel within the city limits. Rooming houses preceded the new hotel and the earlier hotels in the region that were of residential and wood frame construction. To this day, the Marting Hotel is the only remaining downtown hotel from this era. The hotel had, until recently, served the community's transient population. The Marting Hotel had been conveniently located two blocks from the railroad depot and steamship docks on the Ohio River. From the early to mid-1800s and continuing into the 1940s, this port on the Ohio River served as a strong trade and industrial stop. Ironton had once been dubbed as "Little Chicago" because it served as an overnight railroad stop on the Chicago to Washington, D.C. line. Hotels and nightlife thrived when hosting travelers and visitors who attended horse racing in Kentucky, but stayed in Ironton since the county was wet.

The City of Ironton reflected a steady growth during the 1850s through the 1880s. This region of Lawrence County was first settled in 1797. The City of Ironton initially came into development to serve the needs of the Ohio Iron and Coal Company in 1849. The town continued its development as the iron business expanded. The growth was enhanced resulting from Ironton's great value as a port town. Traffic continued to increase on the Ohio River. In a 1907 Ohio Magazine article on the history of Ironton it had stated that between 1860 and 1880, 75% of the packet boats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers where operated by men born in Lawrence County. Railroad service on the Iron Railway commenced when the town was being built. The original plan was to incorporate a line to connect a branch of the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad. A streetcar line was initiated in 1880, which ran through town on Third Street, parallel to the river for seven miles. Unfortunately, the rail only reached the surrounding towns and iron furnaces. Consequently, the town continued its dependence on river transportation until 1881. At that time, the Scioto Valley Railroad was extended from Portsmouth to Ironton. By 1888, the Chesapeake and Ohio built a line on the Kentucky side of the River. Afterward, in 1892, the Scioto Valley merged into the Norfolk and Western. Ironton had evolved into a bustling rail town.

Ironton's population growth remained steady until the turn of the century. In 1850, there were approximately 500 to 600 people. This estimated population did not warrant a government-sponsored census.

However in 1860, a census was conducted and listed the population as 3,700 people. The city's growth averaged 2,000 people for every ten years until 1900. At that time, the census listed 11,868. This figure made Ironton the largest young city (under 55 years) in Ohio. From the early 1900s until the 1950s, the population continued to moderately grow.

Growth was influenced directly by the municipality's industrial production. The industrial pursuits in Ironton were primarily based upon the production of iron. These include foundries, refineries and product manufacturing such as rolling mills, nail mills, and casting companies. Although iron was the mainstay of industry, the city continued to expand into lumber (the second largest industry), coal and cement. After a market panic in 1873, iron industry production slowed to a near idle level. Then when the United States declared war with Spain in 1898, the need was renewed for iron. Business was rejuvenated and the city began its resurgence.

Continuation and expansion of river and rail travel made evident a need for a modern hotel in Ironton. At the time, rooming houses and the small wood-frame hotels served the community. Six boarding houses where listed in the 1906-07 Polk's City Directory including The Palace, The Cecil, and the Ironton Hotel. All of them have been demolished. A drawing of a proposed "mammoth" hotel in Ironton appeared in an August 1907 article of the Ohio Magazine. No verbal information supplemented the drawing. However, local historians believe that the project ceased development due to the lack of funding.

In 1914, the Chamber of Commerce designated a committee to consider the possibility of building a hotel. The committee selected a site at the corner of South Second and Vernon Street. The Columbus, Ohio-based architectural firm of Howard & Merriam was commissioned to prepare a proposal. The plans were based on the committee's request for a five-story building with retail space at street level. In the June 4th, 1914 issue of the Morning Irontonian, an announcement was made that released the committee's proposal. Stock offerings would be made for the project. The intention was that for every dollar of stock purchased by Ironton, a dollar was to be purchased by an unnamed outside investor who was referred to as " … a high class hotel man". The citizens were also informed that " … There is no chance of the project falling through this time, if the people of Ironton back up the committee … ". The local businessmen were in complete support of the project.

In July of 1914, George W. Koonce, the local representative for the Pennsylvania Railroad, met with the United Hotel Company. The United Hotel Company owned a chain of high-class hotels across the Midwest. The hotel proposal, which was unveiled in an August 28th, 1914, article in the Morning Irontonian, included a five-story, modern hotel in a "U" shaped configuration. The intention of the shape was to allow a light court to occur above the mezzanine level. The hotel would encompass a full city block, bordered by Vernon Street, South Second Street, Washington Avenue and South Third Street. The committee designated by the Chamber of Commerce filed for incorporation in August 1914, as the Ironton Hotel Company. Company investors included: G.W. Koonce from the railroad; F.A. Bixby, a jeweler; F.F. Goldcamp, hardware businessman; A.B. Bromberg, a clothing retailer; and S.W. Booth, a sign manufacturer. The estimated cost of the hotel under this proposal, which included land, was $153,000. It was announced that the people of Ironton were depended upon for a contribution of $50,000 to ensure the project's success. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case and the project did not procede as planned.

The site on Park Avenue, between Second and Third Streets, encountered new development in 1914. A group of local businessmen decided to position the proposed hotel at this alternate location. (As opposed to the previously selected site on Vernon Street, one block south). The rationale for the relocation is unknown. Construction had started and reflected the previous proposal, which sat on an entire block. The basement was excavated and foundation was partially laid when work was suspended due to a shortage of steel (due to World War I) and a lack of funding resources.

During the construction delay, the hotel regionally attained the nickname as "Ironton's hole in the ground". On September 23rd, 1916, Colonel Henry A. Marting announced his pledge to help finance the hotel and promised construction would start again in the spring of 1917. In February 1917, the Hotel Company announced that they would employ one of the country's leading hotel architectural firms (Richards, McCarty and Bulford), and that plans would be completed in March or April. The Board of Directors was announced: H.A. Marting, D.C. Davis, A.R. Johnson, Dr. A Lowry Clarke, Oscar Richey, A.H. Mittendorf, Leon Isaacson and E.E. Stewart. The Board of Directors raised $190,000 (including the funds of the previous stockholders). Col. Marting held the largest portion of stock, personally contributing $75,000.

Richards, McCarty and Bulford practiced in Ohio and the surrounding states from 1899 to 1943. George E. Bulford (1870-1942) and Clarence E. Richard (1865-1921) studied with the Columbus firm of Yost & Packard. The Great Southern Hotel, located in downtown Columbus (a Yost & Packard building) has influences that were reflected in the Marting Hotel. In 1899, they formed a partnership with J.E. McCarty. Richards, McCarty and Bulford were well known for their institutional and public buildings, with many designed in the styles popular during their time. An early example of their institutional work is the Ohio Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb. The Athletic Club of Columbus (built 1914-1916) shares strong similarities to the Marting, including continuous arched windows with pronounced keystones at the second story, and the continuous stone banding located above the second story/mezzanine and at sill height on the sixth floor. Richards, McCarty and Bulford has a few other examples of work outside the central Ohio area, but the Marting Hotel is their only work in the the Ironton/Lawrence County area.

Marting and his associates assumed the lease to the land and the project was scaled down to its present seven-story, quarter-block design. According to a September 12th, 1917 article in the Ironton Daily Register, the lowest contractor bid was $100,000 over the estimated construction cost of $156,000. The article indicated that the bids were excessive in that guarantees could not be made for the availability of materials or the market price of supplies during the time of construction. Construction was completed in a timely manner, despite the fact that the hotel's opening was delayed by one month due to the fact that the city was unable to distribute water to the second floor.

The Italian Renaissance Revival-style hotel held opening tours and a formal dance on September 6th, 1919. The grand opening dedication dinner was held on September 18th, 1921. The opening celebration included a dinner that was held in the Rose Room. The festivities extended into the Lobby and continued to the Mezzanine Level. The public spaces were decorated with bouquets of flowers and displays of Rome apples (the annual apple show and festival was being held concurrently to the grand opening). The four-dollar-per-plate dinner was reported to be the most formal dinner in Ironton's history. All of the rooms were reserved for the night by patrons of the hotel (proceeds went to the additional construction costs and to a loving cup presented to Col. Marting). The hotel garnered the reputation as being, according to the current owner, " … a five star hotel with no other to match it between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati".

As a point of interest, the hotel's silverware was reported to be " … the best in the valley … with no detail overlooked". Each piece was engraved with a "M" surrounded by a wreath and "The Marting Hotel" on the stem. Various pieces of silverware and stoneware can be found as souvenirs in Ironton area households. Based upon the Ohio Historic Inventory completed in 1977, the Hotel is said to have served many prominent guests visiting the area between the 1920s and 1950s. One such guest/resident was Mrs. Nannie Honshell Kelley Wright (1856-1946). Mrs. Wright was Ironton's only woman Ironmaster and had the foresight to buy shutdown iron furnaces after the 1873 panic and wait for the steel market to rebound. Even though Mrs. Wright had houses in the city and the furnaces in the rural area, she took up residence in the Marting Hotel during the late 1930s and remained until her death.

By 1928, seven hotels where listed in the city directory, but the Marting's tenants also included clubs, organizations and businesses. The hotel adequately served the social, political and business interests of these groups. The 1928 through 1949 Polk's City Directories listed the following as some of the tenants in the Hotel: the Chamber of Commerce, Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Bell Company, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Delphions, Business & Professional Woman's Club, Daughters of Isabella, Lawrence County Board of Realtors, Ironton Board of Trade, Electrolux Corp., LeRoy-Shaw School of Dance (located in the basement), the Marting Hotel Barber and the Hotel Marting Cigar Store. The Marting Hotel had become an established favorite often hosting community meetings, dinners, balls and civic functions. The Marting has also served the community in times of need. During the 1937 flood the floodwaters reached the third floor, but a number of patrons took refuge and temporarily stored salvaged furniture on the upper floors. During and following the floods, Ironton lost a number of treasured buildings.

The Marting Hotel has survived a few name changes throughout the years. In 1954, and again in 1958, the establishment was listed in the city directory as The MacArther Hotel, reflecting a change in ownership. It is believed that The MacArther Hotel derived its name from its wealthy, Miami-based owner. However, the actual date and details of the purchase transaction are unclear. Stories persist that the local residents looked unfavorably upon the change of the hotel's name. Interestingly enough, the 1965 city directory listed The MacArther Hotel as being changed to Marting House. A decade later, the 1975 directory revised the listing yet to Marting House, Inc. In 1985, it is referenced once again as its original designation of The Marting Hotel. The directory makes note of the structure in 1992 as the Marting Hotel Apartments.

The August 26th, 1917, edition of the Ironton Daily Register stated that "… The new hotel certainly by all means should bear Colonel Marting's name. It will stand a monument to his civic interests and pride of his home city." The namesake of the hotel, Colonel Henry A. Marting, was one of the early citizens that contributed much to the city of Ironton throughout its early history. Henry Adam Marting was born December 17th, 1850, across the Ohio River in Greenup County, Kentucky. He was raised in Jackson Furnace and Wheeler Mills, Ohio, where he attended local schools, and earned a reputation as a keen trader. From age nineteen, Marting worked on the railroad for two and a half years, after which time he and his brother, John, purchased a country store from their father in Gaphart's Station, Ohio. The brothers re-opened the business in Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1872 or 1875, the brothers sold the store to their uncle, moved to Ironton, and opened a general store which Henry was involved with until 1902. The success of his early business ventures led to financial involvement in the start and growth of the following stores and manufacturing enterprises: Marting, Flehr & Co. shoe store; Mauck Waters Grocery Co.; Herm's Florist shop (Portsmouth); Crystal Ice Co.; Ketter Carriage; Ironton Engine; Ketter Clothing; Ironton Lumber Co.; and the Ironton Portland Cement Co. Marting also was the President of Citizen's National Bank; President of Register Publishing Co.; President and co-founder of the Home Telephone Co.; and Director of the Camden Interstate Railway. Colonel Marting became known as an "ironmaster", owner and operator of three of the local iron furnaces common in the iron-ore-rich area of southern Ohio. Marting organized and contributed to the following steel and steel-related businesses throughout his career: Roofing & Corrugating Co.; Foster Stove Co.; Eagle Iron & Steel Co. (Republic Iron & Steel); Wellston Iron & Steel Co.; Marting Iron & Steel (Ironton Iron Co.); and Columbus Iron & Steel Co.

Mr. Marting was also prominent in the community by serving on City Council and was Vice-President of the Ohio Valley Improvement Association. As a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church (now Immanuel United Methodist), he donated the large stain glass window, and later became a member and served on the Board for the Spencer M.E. Church of Ironton. Governor Bushnell of Ohio bestowed the title "Colonel" to Mr. Marting, who had been a member of Governor's staff. He served as a member of: the Board of Control for the Charles S. Gray Deaconess Hospital; the fraternal organization Knights of Pythias; and the Republican Party. At the time of his death in November, 1919, he gave financial donations to the Marting Hotel and the Ironton YMCA. In the Ironton newspaper, The Register, the following was published: " … Every business house in the city was closed during the funeral hour from 2 to 3 o'clock. The Home Telephone Co. … suspended service for 10 minutes at 2 o'clock. The public schools and banks closed." Unfortunately, within the year after Col. Marting's death, the company stock was handled poorly and all was lost due to a drop in the iron market. This market tragedy was also the start of the decline in Ironton's iron-based wealth. The furnaces of Marting Iron & Steel shut down never to be used again. Members of the Marting family continued involvement with business and civic activities throughout the years, but not to the extent that the Colonel did. The Marting name is still known and respected in Ironton today.

Building Description

The Marting Hotel is located in downtown Ironton, Ohio. It is positioned on South Second Street (State Rt. 93) southwest of the primary east-west route in Lawrence County and Southern Ohio, U.S. Route 52, paralleling the Ohio River. Prior to the development of the current interstate system, U.S. Route 52 was a primary route of travel. The route was utilized to carry traffic from the southeastern United States, beginning in Florida, through the Midwest to Chicago, Illinois and beyond. The Marting is also located within two blocks of the Ohio River and the railroad lines, which were integral to early river ports that served the Ironton vicinity. The vistas of the Ohio River from the upper floors of the Marting are considered to be some of the most beautiful in the Ohio River Valley region.

The Marting Hotel was constructed at its present location at the corner of South Second Street and Park Avenue. The structure occupies approximately one-quarter of the block. It measures nearly 67 feet in width by 132 feet in depth. Primary entrance into the hotel lobby is from Park Avenue. The Marting is located near the center of the Central Business District of Ironton, which serves as the seat of Lawrence County. The hotel location is also in close proximity to the Rankin District. This district was a significant residential area for iron-ore tycoons at the turn of the century and continuing into the 1920s.

In 1907, a drawing was published that illustrated the proposal for a grand hotel, but no details of development. The drawing reflected a five-story building, which was to encompass the entire city block and incorporate four corner towers. This scheme was never developed. In 1914, the Columbus, Ohio architectural firm of Howard and Merriam submitted a proposal for a hotel with the estimated cost of $133,000. This building was to be ". . . 132 feet square, a modern, five-story, fireproof hotel.". The original proposed location was to be the entire block between South Second and Third Streets and Vernon and Washington Streets (one city block south of the Marting's present location). When construction commenced the project was relocated to the present site at the corner of Park Avenue and South Second Street. Due to the community's lack of financial assistance, the project was suspended after the basement had been excavated.

In September of 1916, the hotel's corporation reorganized. The Columbus-based architectural firm of Richards, McCarty, Bulford & Co. was commissioned to design a simpler structure. Finally, construction on the Hotel continued in 1917. The foundation work was initiated when steel was in short supply due to the start of World War I. Consequently, steel-reinforced concrete, post-and-beam construction was substituted to accommodate the steel shortage and the building footprint was reduced. The hotel also incorporates permanent hollow clay tile forms in the concrete floor construction. The final result was a seven-story building. The structure contained six floors, a mezzanine, and 128 guestrooms, 105 with private baths. An early 1952 renovation project produced the current layout, which resulted in seven floors, one penthouse apartment, and approximately 60 guest units.

The Marting is the only commercial structure constructed in the Italian Renaissance Revival architectural style in the downtown area of Ironton. Other buildings of this style are residential and outside the core of the downtown area. The exterior of the building is brick, featuring prominent dentiled cornice, brick parapet and flat roof. The two distinctive symmetrical facades face both Park Avenue and South Second Street. They highlight the most prominent architectural detailing of the building. Features include limestone sills, stone belt coursing dividing the first floor from the second floor/mezzanine level, and key and cornerstone detailing above the third-floor windows. The building incorporates projected cornices at the sixth and seventh stories. Limestone lintels and recessed round-top brick arches with keystones adorn the top of the seventh-story windows. A detailed stone belt course also accentuates the seventh story. Original windows on all floors above the second-floor level are wood double hung consisting of eight over eight and six over six glass panes. Approximately one-third of the windows have been replaced over the years with wood double and single-hung windows with single panes of glass, the majority including false twelve over twelve grids. The first-floor windows on Park Avenue originally consisted of two storefront windows that flanked the center portal entrance. Original windows on South Second Street included a storefront window at the north corner along with large divided light palladian windows at the mezzanine, but over time the windows have been replaced with a combination of aluminum storefronts and brick in-fill.

The interior of the hotel was relatively unsophisticated and simple compared to many of the "grand hotel" structures of the Midwest that were constructed during that time. The existing sixth floor is best reflective of the original finishes. The lower level consists of public convergence spaces that are directly accessible from South Second Street, along with the elevator and stairwell from the ground floor. This lower level has high levels of natural light provided by window wells and glass block skylights in the South Second Street sidewalk. This space is currently in neglected condition. The retail spaces in the lower level have not been used commercially in the past 30 to 35 years. The ground floor level (first floor) had also contained business and public spaces off of the modest lobby that was opened to the dining room. The mezzanine level (second floor) was designed to be the main public area providing public cloakroom and restrooms. The lower level included the other public restroom. All three public levels have maintained the original terrazzo flooring. The original main stairwell was open to the public spaces on all three levels. The stairs are capped with marble treads and risers. They feature marble panel wainscoting and utilize a low wall railing that is continuous from the mezzanine to the lower-level lobby entrance. A 1945 remodeling venture provided new food service equipment at the Hotel's tavern and the "Martini Room," which was best known for entertainment provisions on weekends.

During the 1950s through 1960s, (primarily in 1952, according to the present owner), modifications were made to the first floor exterior facade as well as the interior spaces. The arched windows, a stone belt course and stone keystone details were covered on the exterior at the mezzanine level with panels of enameled steel. The ventilated steel panels were projected several inches from the structure and, over time, became subject to rusting. Upon removal of the intrusive panels, the original detailing was exposed showing that it has remained, for the most part, intact. However, visible damage resulted from the panel installation. The metal support frame for the steel panels was nailed to the original facade at the mezzanine, the second floor and portal. As a result, the stone sill below the mezzanine windows has been severely scraped and chipped. The outer profile of the sill, which is located below the rectangular windows, was chiseled away to provide a flush attachment surface for the panels. The structure's first-floor exterior was also remodeled at the same time. Newer brick was applied with mortar to the face of the original highly textured brick. On the first floor, windows were replaced with aluminum storefronts or filled in with brick and glass block at various locations. With the exception of limited areas, penetrated primarily by individual glass block, the brick veneer at the first-floor level remains without significant detail.

Significant interior remodeling also occurred in the early 1950s. The mezzanine, which originally overlooked the first-floor dining room, was enclosed to create the ballroom which is three steps down from the second-floor corridor. The expansion of the second floor resulted in the current seven-floor configuration. The second-story arched windows were infilled with brick and new rectangular windows were installed). This work also included the conversion of a number of hotel rooms into small apartments. The fifth and sixth floors incurred minimal changes such as painting and carpeting during the renovations.

The first floor is occupied by a restaurant/bar. Unfortunately, no historic photographs or drawings have been discovered to illustrate the appearance of the lobby prior to the 1950s modifications. The main stair configuration is original, by evidence that the marble treads, risers and base trim are the same from the basement up to the second floor. All three-floor levels and stair landings have the same terrazzo flooring. Community efforts are continuing in the search for historic documentation. Via newspaper articles and public notices, information is being sought for any historic photos, drawings, or written documentation describing the layout, finishes, and character of the hotel's lobbies.

The buildings that neighbor the hotel's site vary in age. A few of the structures pre-date the hotel, (late 1800s), and are primarily located to the north. The buildings that are located primarily to the east were erected through the 1940s. Wood frame buildings on South Second Street, north of Park Avenue (which was then considered Olive Street), appeared on a June 1885 city map documenting their existence. Structures south of Park Avenue appear on city maps dated 1904 (east side of the street) and 1885 (west side of the street). This map also shows smaller wood-frame buildings where the Marting now stands. The corner buildings consisted of a bakery and a drug store that faced South Second Street. City maps from June 1916 depict the block sectioned into three lots facing Park Avenue, with the notation " … hotel to be built." The next available city map, dated June 1928, shows the Marting hotel, which shared the block with a "moving picture" and a druggist. The structures on Park Avenue vary in height from three to seven stories high. The adjacent structures located on Park Avenue were constructed a few years after the Marting, but do not reflect the Italian Renaissance Revival style. Many of the adjacent structure's first-floor facades were altered from their original appearance between the 1950s and 1970s.

The dome of the county courthouse is visible from the hotel's front entrance. The streetscape on the north end of Second Street has retained an original appearance and historical integrity. Numerous two- and three-story buildings date back to the 1880s. The majority of the storefronts have been renovated recently and make a positive contribution to the character of the neighborhood's appearance. The south end of Second Street includes two- and three-story storefronts that have been altered. These modifications were not architecturally sensitive to the character of the area, although the simple character of the buildings remain. Also, this vicinity includes a newer one-story structure.