Property Record
619 HEWETT ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Neillsville Post Office |
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| Other Name: | U.S. Post Office |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 3333 |
| Location (Address): | 619 HEWETT ST |
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| County: | Clark |
| City: | Neillsville |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1937 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | post office |
| Architectural Style: | Art Deco |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Louis Simon |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Neillsville Post Office |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/24/2000 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' 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 State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. Another map code for this structure is PO-E. The photo codes, 22/15-24, are prefixed by the letters "PO." The building is an example of the 20th Century commercial vernacular with Moderne elements. The plan is rectangular with a rear addition for a loading zone. The public entrance/lobby is on the Hewett Street face. The elevation is organized symmetrically about the entry doors. The building is constructed of tan brick with sandstone trim. The window storms, entrance doors and transom panel are not original and are natural finish aluminum. The windows are set in recessed brick panels. The entry stairs are of granite with pole lamps on either side. The cornerstone notes: "Henry Morgenthau, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury, James A. Farley, Postmaster General, Louis A. Simon, Supervising Architect, Neal A. Melick, Supervising Engineer, 1937." The interior has the original tile floor and wainscot. The walls and ceiling are of plaster. The original wood vestibule, trim and double hung windows remain. A mural signed "John Van Koert, 1940" is located on one wall of the lobby. The building, which is in good condition, is located on Main Street in the business district. ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE: This Post Office shares its design with those in Stoughton and Hartford and has retained its integrity with the exception of a newer transom window front door. When its relatively intact interior with WPA-era mural is also considered, it is probable that this building meets Criteria C for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: This building, which was originally occupied in June of 1938, is the first-federally owned Post Office in Neillsville. Prior to the construction of this building, postal services were conducted in various locations slected by a series of local postmasters. Postal service in Neillsville dates from 1855 and the first Postmaster was Samuel C. Boardman. This Post Office was one of several constructed in Wisconsin by the Federal Public Works Administration in the 1930's. There is a mural in the lobby of the building painted by John Van Koert (C). 2016- "From 1913-1943 the U.S. Treasury administered the murals program, where 1% of the cost of the buildings construction was to be designated for artwork. In many cases large murals were placed over the door to the postmaster's office. Two general themes had to be followed: postal delivery or local history. John Van Koert painted Neillsville's post office mural in 1940. The theme of the mural is the historic story of Clark County's vote for the location of the county seat. Folklore spins the yarn of free whiskey being offered to men on the north side of the O'Neill Creek to hamper their ability to cross the log boom in order to vote." -"Neillsville, Wisconsin Historical & Architectural Tour", Prepared by the Neillsville Historic Preservation Commission, 2016. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Date of construction - Building Cornerstone. B. Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, "History of Clark County, Wisconsin," Chicago, 1918. C. SHSW Reconnaissance Files. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |