Published: April 27, 2009 06:27 am      

Unger’s accolade

area’s oldest shoe store added to National Register of Historic Places

IRONTON — The oldest shoe store in the area has another distinguished honor to add to its list of accolades.

Unger’s Shoes, on S. 3rd Street, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The store building, along with its atmosphere and friendly service, reflect a time gone by.

The building was among several recently added to the registry that were constructed in the Art Moderne architectural style. The style is characterized by sleek, rounded corners and geometric designs.

Details reflected modern machine lines and gave the suggestion of speed and movement. Buildings often had little ornamentation and aluminum and stainless steel window and door trim were used. Glass block windows — like those at the entrance of Unger’s Shoes — also marked the style.

“It’s pretty rare in Appalachia and as a result it was placed on the national registry,” said Joe Unger, president of Unger’s Shoes.

According to Barbara Powers, head of the inventory and registration department at the Ohio Historic preservation office, the building dates to circa 1930s and the architect is unlisted. Powers said the building is among several listed in the downtown Ironton historic district, which includes buildings that were constructed from the 1870s through the 1950s.

“The National Register District recognizes that this area within downtown Ironton is significant for its history reflecting the commercial and governmental development of Ironton,” she said. The designation, she said, can be used as a planning tool for local officials and property owners to determine the best way to revitalize and renovate buildings and districts within the community.

Unger’s Shoe’s, which opened in 1946, has called the same building home for more than 60 years. The building has already undergone extensive rehabilitation, but Unger said additional improvements are scheduled to be made as part of the Ironton-Lawrence County Area Community Action Organization Services revitalization project.

The entrance will be redone with a period terrazzo floor and other small detail work will be done “to bring it back to its original state,” he said.

Unger and longtime employee Teresa Hamilton both said they were excited to work in a building that has been placed on the national register.

The Ro’Na Theater, which is in the Art Decco style at the end of the block, was also added to the register. The designation allows both buildings to apply for national and state historical tax credits to rehabilitate the structures.