Ashtabula Harbour Commercial District, Ashtabula, OH

Getting away from Chicago for a bit, I'd like to talk about Ohio, where I grew up. More specifically, Ashtabula, Ohio, where my wife grew up. 

Ashtabula and my hometown, Lorain, share a surprising number of similarities.  Both exist largely because of their location at the intersection of Lake Erie and a major river. Just like the Black River in Lorain, the Ashtabula River created a natural harbor (later enhanced through dredging).  In the 1950s, the expanding chemical industry made the Ashtabula harbor one of the most important on the Great Lakes.  And also one of the most polluted. 

Ashtabula Harbor Commercial District

Before the area sank into depression (along with the rest of Ohio), some remarkable commercial districts were built.  One of the best is the Ashtabula Harbor Commercial District, which has been on the National Register since 1975.  This was a concentration of saloons and houses of prostitution back at the turn of the century.  It's become a bit more sedate since then. 

Ashtabula Lift Bridge- View looking northeast.

The Ashtabula Lift Bridge was completed in 1925.  It's always an odd thrill to drive under the 420-ton concrete counterweight hanging above the roadway.  You can tell a bridge intended for purely functional needs- it doesn't much care about blocking the views up and down the river.  This contrasts with the bridges on the Chicago River, where engineers put a lot of effort into minimizing visible support structures. But to be fair, there's not much height above the water to work with here. The bridge acts as a gateway into the historic district to the west.

Goodwill

Above is the Goodwill complex south of Bridge Street.  It's really a collection of buildings strung together, probably from the 1960s.  Not a particularly graceful combination, but since these are the newest buildings near Bridge Street, they give a good sense of the community's needs.  I've never visited Ashtabula without stopping at this Goodwill, and it's always busy.  While it may not be an engine of economic development, it does attract people to the area.

Italianate Commercial Buildings

The core of the district is an impressive block of 2-story brick buildings between Hulbert and Morton.  The frame buildings shown above are just to the west.  It's rare to find historic commercial frame buildings like this in decent condition. It looks like someone has been taking care of these, even to the point of a partial restoration.

I think this area has incredible potential.  It's already attracted several unique businesses and restaurants.  And because it's on the National Register, it's qualified for tax credit projects.  I think Ashtabula knows what it has here, but maybe could be more active in attracting investment.  After all, there aren't that many alternatives to strip malls left in the area...