HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY BUILDING AND STRUCTURES Norwich Heritage Trust, Inc, P.O.Box 185 Norwich, CT 06360	This Building sponsored by Rose City Renaissance
Building Name: Tongren's Shoes	Historic Name: The Crawford
Town/City: Norwich	County: New London
Address:118-122	Street: Main Street
Owners:David M. Tongren, Preston, CT	Private
Present Use: shoe store, beauty salon	Historic Use shoe store
Exterior is viewable to public	Interior is accessible	Explain: open during business hours
Style of Building: Early, 20th Century Commercial	Construction Date: 1920
Materials Brick	Structural System Load Bearing Masonry
Roof Flat Roll Asphalt
Stories: 3	Dimensions: 25 x 50
Structural Condition: Good	Exterior Condition: Good
Alterations: new first floor storefront
Outbuildings:
Environment: commercial High Building Density

Interrelationship of Building and Surroundings:

Although more recent in date than its surroundings, the Crawford is of a compatible material, scale and style. On the west side, a narrow alley with stairs leads to Church Street.

Features:

The facade is constructed of yellow brick divided by brick pilasters into two bays. Windows are variants of the Chicago window with a large fixed pane in the center blanked by windows with 1-over-1 double-hung sash. Lintels and sills are of concrete. A panel above the third floor contains the inscription "The Crawford". Two lozenges of concrete are placed on either side of this.

Architect:

Builder:

Importance:

The Crawford was built as a shoe store of George Kies & Co. Crawford was the president of the company. The continuity of use is characteristic of several downtown buildings. The influence of the neoclassical style can be seen in the brick pilasters which divide the facade into bays. The Chicago windows are well-integrated into the building. A good example of early 20th century commercial architecture, the Crawford is also an element in the downtown street-scape.

Sources:

Assessor s Records, 1981

Building Evaluation form, 1979

Norwich City Directories

Evaluations:

Threats None Private