Lunkenheimer Valve Company District lands on the National Register of Historic Places
For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2026
Cincinnati, OH, January 14, 2026 – The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority (The Port) announced today that the former Lunkenheimer Valve Company District in South Fairmount was added to the National Register of Historic Places, the United States government's official list of buildings, sites, and structures considered worthy of preservation for their historical significance.
“We are incredibly proud that these buildings have been recognized at the national level,” said Laura Brunner, President and CEO of The Port. “Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure this landmark remains a vibrant part of our city’s architectural, cultural, and industrial identity. This nomination reinforces our belief that preserving the past is essential to inspiring the future,” Brunner continued.
The Hamilton County Landbank, a managed entity of The Port, sponsored the nomination of the Lunkenheimer Valve Company Historic District to the National Register as part of its efforts within the South Fairmount neighborhood. The vision is to transform the Lunkenheimer Foundry Building at 1515 Tremont Street, the Lunkenheimer Office Building at 1500 Waverly Avenue, and the Midwest Textiles Building at 2450 Beekman Street into a vibrant, mixed-use hub. The project builds on significant momentum in the neighborhood, complementing other major investments nearby, including the replacement of the Western Hills Viaduct and the Mill Creek Greenway Trail.
“As we continue the Experience Mill Creek work in the Beekman Corridor, this recognition represents forward momentum and reinforces the importance of the area’s history,” said Cincinnati Councilman Mark Jeffreys. “It’s an exciting and encouraging step in giving this part of Cincinnati the attention and investment it deserves.”
As part of The Port’s mission to transform unproductive real estate into opportunities for job creation and housing, the redevelopment aims to honor the community’s industrial heritage while creating affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing units, along with retail space, positioning the Historic Lunkenheimer District as a place to live, work, and invest.
“Listing on the National Register of Historic Places is a major step in transforming the Lunkenheimer District into a positive community asset,” shared Jim Casey, South Fairmount’s Community Council president.
The Lunkenheimer Valve Company was one of Cincinnati’s most storied manufacturers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. For many decades, the family-owned Lunkenheimer employed thousands to produce industrial products such as valves, oil lubricators, and steam whistles. These products were used everywhere from locomotives and ships to aircraft components, including parts for Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis. Even today, pieces of original industrial equipment still sit atop the main foundry building, serving as visible reminders of the area’s manufacturing past.
“Driving across the Western Hills Viaduct into the West Side, the Lunkenheimer Valve Company building stands as a massive presence,” said Beth Johnson, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Preservation Association. “Its walls hold a unique history that shaped modern manufacturing and anchored the surrounding community. Listing this property in the National Register acknowledges both its past and its continued importance to Cincinnati’s industrial and cultural landscape. This designation is a strategic step towards its preservation, creating a new life for the building and for this vital gateway to the West Side.”
Historic growth of the South Fairmount neighborhood was closely tied to companies like Lunkenheimer, whose factories provided jobs and helped shape the community throughout the 20th century. Listing the Lunkenheimer Valve Company Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places delivers another win toward preserving and rehabilitating these buildings, ensuring they remain a meaningful landmark and long-term anchor for the South Fairmount neighborhood.
Along with the National Register award, the Landbank recently achieved other significant milestones, including environmental cleanup of the foundry, obtaining stabilization funding for the foundry and office buildings, and gaining control of all three sites.
Continued stabilization and environmental remediation work is planned for 2026. The City of Cincinnati's Neighborhood Catalytic Capital Investment Program has awarded funding to the Landbank to initiate the Historic Tax Credit process.
###
About The Port:
The Port was formed in 2001 to stimulate growth of the regional economy. Partnering with the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, The Port works to redevelop manufacturing and residential communities, building the foundation for job creation and creating livable, viable communities where residents can experience economic prosperity. For additional information, please visit http://www.cincinnatiport.org.
Visit our social media channels:
- Instagram: @cincinnati_port
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CincinnatiPort/, @CincinnatiPort
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/port-of-greater-cincinnati-development-authority/
Media Contact:
Yasmin Chilton
Director of External Affairs and Media Relations
937-536-9885
ychilton@cincinnatiport.org