Constructed between 1916 and 1928, this long, narrow, black structure housed Lawson Airplane Factory, which designed the first two airplanes built for commercial aviation in 1919 and 1920.  Through this company, Alfred Lawson was the first to propose a nationwide commercial passenger service representing a significant period in transportation history.

Referred to at the time as “the Columbus of the air,” his planes had 120 foot wingspread and flew at 120 miles per hour.  He also initiated several modern standard features of the commercial airline business, such as weather-proof cockpits, dual pilot control, and passenger cabins with a center isle.  While the first plane was taking its initial flight, the furrows in the ground during takeoff caused it to veer off course running into a tree and telephone pole.  This disaster led to the company’s bankruptcy since stockholders refused to put up the $10,000 needed for repairs.

The second of the building’s owners, Continental Faience and Tile Company, created a sophisticated, finely detailed and vibrantly colored three-dimensional advertising brochure for their products.  The structure is important for the high artistic expression of the tilework in the vestibule, manager’s office and showroom.  A previous owner, Dick Schumacher, repaired much of the original structure.