Property Record
112 S DICKASON BLVD (AKA 223 W JAMES ST)
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Columbus Public Library |
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| Other Name: | Columbus Public Library |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 3461 |
| Location (Address): | 112 S DICKASON BLVD (AKA 223 W JAMES ST) |
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| County: | Columbia |
| City: | Columbus |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
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| Year Built: | 1912 |
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| Additions: | C. 1993 |
| Survey Date: | 1999 |
| Historic Use: | library |
| Architectural Style: | Prairie School |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Stucco |
| Architect: | Claude and Starck |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Columbus Public Library |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 11/15/1990 |
| 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. LIBRARY HAS THE ORIGINAL PLANS AND CORRESPONDENCE WITH CARNEGIE FOUNDATION. The building was renovated in 1990, during which time the children's section was relocated downstairs. (Another address is 223 W. James Street). [A] The design of this building embodies the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement, combined with the strong horizontal lines of the Prairie style. Arts and Crafts touches include the stuccoed walls, the pair of bracketed gables, and the wide windows with slightly peaked window heads. Pierced wooden planters and a recessed porch contribute to the cottage-like appearance, which linked the public building to the adjacent residential neighborhood. [C] "The Columbus Women's Club provided the motivation and the seed money to build this Andrew Carnegie-funded library. Prior tot he construction of this building the library had been located in donated space downtown and was in city hall for a time. This building is an excellent example of a Prairie School library designed by the firm of Claude and Starck of Madison. A residential effect is created by the deep setback, centered front porch and window boxes which entice one to enter and read!" Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
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| Bibliographic References: | [A] December 1998 phone conversation with Mary Janek, librarian. [B] Take a Walk on Main Street: Historic Walking Tours in Wisconsin's Main Street Communities, Wisconsin Main Street Program, 1998. [C] Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript. [D] Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |