Property Record
208 N BRIDGE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | KEYSTONE BLOCK |
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| Other Name: | F W WOOLWORTH'S |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 3160 |
| Location (Address): | 208 N BRIDGE ST |
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| County: | Chippewa |
| City: | Chippewa Falls |
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| Year Built: | 1890 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 1990 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | Variety of decorative brick patterns along cornice and on parapet, applied pilasters with metal caps resting on consoles ornamented by terra cotta winged dragons; terra cotta panels composed of round columnettes and stained glass overlights with stone lintels above windows in upper facade; keystone shaped stone at top center of facade. In a design similar to the Marshall Building (CH36-10), the Keystone Building was constructed in 1890 using High Victorian Gothic stylistic devices including ornamental pressed brick, corbelled brick, stained glass, exotic onion shaped caps and white stone window lintels incised in an ornamental pattern. Constucted by C.F. Smith who used one of the stores for his grocery, the Keystone Block is further accented by notable Gothic derived gargoyles. Having been exceptionally well maintained except for the altered store front, the architecturally significant Keystone Block is an exceptional vernacular interpretation of the high Victorian Gothic style. Constructed by C.F. Smith in 1890, this building was used as a retail and office building (A). Original occupants of the Keystone Block were C.F. Smither Grocer, a clothing store and Ed Grossman merchant tailor. Dr. L. K. Knox, dentist, had an office on the second floor (C). This building is important as part of the commercial development of downtown Chippewa Falls which occurred following a city ordinance mandating fireproof buildings in the downtown commercial district. DEMOLISHED in 1990 for bank addition. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Building inscription. (B) Pen and Sunlight Sketches of the Principal Cities in Wisconsin (CHicago: Phoenix Publishing Co., c. 1892), p. 168-169. (C) The Daily Independent 1 January, 1891. (D) The Daily Independent 19 June, 1890. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |