Property Record
139-139A-141-141A W HURON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | GROFFMAN BLK [NRHP] |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | BER. GREENHSE/ROLLY'S TV |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 48674 |
| Location (Address): | 139-139A-141-141A W HURON ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Green Lake |
| City: | Berlin |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1870 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1990 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Huron Street Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 8/31/1992 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/22/1992 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | The F in the photo codes is for Fox Canal Survey. Another map code for this building is 2/7 Insert A. This Italianate styled retail building rises two stories in height. It features a rectangular shaped plan configuration, a concrete and stone foundation, a brick and glass exterior, and a variety of trim materials, including brick, metal, stone, tile and wood. The roof is flat with a false front. A heavy, bracketed and dentil trimmed cornice details the facade, and beneath it on the second story are segmental arched windows. The historically named Groffman Block is in fair condition. Historical Bakcground: W. G. Groffman moved to Berlin from Watertown, Wisconsin in 1866 and he started a dry goods business in this building. By 1926, his business was occupying only one of the storefronts and the other two by a funeral home and a jewelry store. In 1878 Berlin became the center of one of the first telephone systems in the state. Chas. G. Starks rented a pair of telephones from the Valentine Brothers of Janesville, who were agents for the American Telephone Company. They were hooked up between the office of the Berlin Journal (139 Huron) and the home of Mr. Stacks, who was the editor of the newspaper. In 1879, Mr. Stacks became an agent fo the Bell Telephone in Berlin and he established a subscription of 25 customers within a year. Soon after, he built tool lines to cities in Waushara, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties. These lines are thought to be the first toll lines in the state. In 1882, Mr. Stark sold his toll lines to the Wisconsin Telephone Company and held a management position at the company. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | A. Date of construction and historic name: NRHP. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |