Property Record
148, 150, 152 E 2ND ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Kuehn Blacksmith Shop |
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| Other Name: | Kaukauna Hardware |
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| Reference Number: | 51600 |
| Location (Address): | 148, 150, 152 E 2ND ST |
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| County: | Outagamie |
| City: | Kaukauna |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1889 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19832014 |
| Historic Use: | blacksmith shop |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Kuehn Blacksmith Shop-Hardware Store |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/29/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of Kaukauna |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' (Kaukauna Historic Properties) exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. "The Kaukauna Hardware Store building, located at the eastern end of the Second Street commercial district, was built in 1889 around two existing rectangular buildings. Pilasters separate the builing into four vertical divisions: The first and fourth have brick corbelling and round arched windows with semi-circular lintels; the second and third have semi-circular recessed arches and rectangular windows. Metal cresting (now removed) once joined the parapets (also removed) that flanked the east and west sides of the facade. The interior consists of two large showromms with storage are to the rear. The eastern portion of the building has an intact stamped metal ceiling. There are several small apartments and offices with bullseye door and window moldings on the upper level. Although the building has been denuded of its parapets and metal cresting, it is still one of the finest examples of comemrcial Romanesque Revival architecture in Kaukauna. Few commercial buildings in the City retain their original storefront or have an intact stamped metal ceiling." Walking Tour Through Old Kaukauna: Two Self-Guided Historic Tours Kaukauna, Wisconsin, City of Kaukauna, 1983. This commercial building was erected by Julius Kuehn, Kaukauna's first blacksmith, who had come to south Kaukauna in 1881 and served two terms as Mayor of Kaukauna in 1900 and 1906 respectively. In 1911 it became the hardware store of Fred Merbach, who dealt in "general hardware, stoves, paints, oils, etc. general line of furniture, does undertaking" (D). It continues as a hardware store to the present. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Kaukauna Tax Assessment Rolls 1887-1939. (B) Commemorative Biographical Record of the Fox River Valley, p. 852. (C) Kaukauna 175th Jubilee Album, p. 1. (D) History of Outgamie County, p. 782. (E) Building inscription. (F) Old photograph, 1907. (G) Sanborn Perris Maps, 1890, 1894, 1913. "Supplemental/Addendum Information to FCC Package, Kaukauna Tower, East 9th Street and Boyd Avenue, Kaukauna, WI 54130." WHS Project #14-0410/OU June 2014. Prepared by Lena Hoffmeyer. Walking Tour Through Old Kaukauna: Two Self-Guided Historic Tours Kaukauna, Wisconsin, City of Kaukauna, 1983. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |