285 S W FRANKLIN ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

285 S W FRANKLIN ST

Architecture and History Inventory
285 S W FRANKLIN ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:Imperial Glove Co.
Other Name:WC RUSSELL MOCCASIN CO
Contributing:
Reference Number:49531
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):285 S W FRANKLIN ST
County:Green Lake
City:Berlin
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1940
Additions:
Survey Date:2002
Historic Use:industrial building
Architectural Style:Astylistic Utilitarian Building
Structural System:
Wall Material:Rock-Faced Concrete Block
Architect:
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name:Not listed
National Register Listing Date:
State Register Listing Date:
NOTES
Additional Information:In the mid 1950s, the W.C. Russell Moccasin Co. moved here from its previous location just east of the Fox River and north of Huron Street. The W.C. Russell Moccasin Co. was founded in 1900 by William C. Russell after acquiring the Wright Shoe Company, from local businessman Stillman Wright. Unlike large, commercial shoe manufacturing companies, boots and moccasins at the Russell firm were individually hand made for customers. Customers would send in lasts of their feet, along with a few additional measurements and the footwear would be custom made. Russell boots were also sold at retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch and advertised in sportsman's magazines. High profile persons such as former President Eisenhower, Charles Lindbergh, and King Edward VIII are said to have been former customers of Russell. The establishment continues the custom made trade out of the three ivory-covered buildings.
Bibliographic References:Architecture and History Survey. July 2002. Prepared by Traci Schnell, Heritage Research, Ltd.
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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