Property Record
108 S MADISON AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Bank of Sawyer |
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| Other Name: | D.C. Pisha Insurance Office |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 50120 |
| Location (Address): | 108 S MADISON AVE |
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| County: | Door |
| City: | Sturgeon Bay |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
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| Year Built: | 1904 |
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| Additions: | 1917 |
| Survey Date: | 2000 |
| Historic Use: | bank/financial institution |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Fred D. Crandall |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | This two-story commercial structure is Edwardian in time and shows two architectural personalities through the change of style and materials from the lower to the upper floor. The upper floor is of painted brick trimmed with local limestone at the sills, lintels, and coping. A brickwork implied frieze supports a moulded, modilloned cornice curiously terminated with volutes. This feature appears to be of pressed metal or cast iron. A bronze projecting clock accents the corner although the original detailing of this feature is hidden by an applique of new work. The lower level follows the upper in form but is veneered with smooth finished, grey limestone. Simply detailed, the vertical elements upport an ionic entablautre made up of simple mouldings and accented only with an egg and dart moulding. The corner entry is accented with a stone pediment with carved detail in teh tympanum. What appears to be a sign panel (covered with a newer sign) is supported by paired consoles on either side of the door. The transoms of the door and windows--and the upper portions of the entry door glazing--are glazed with square "spoked" windows within heavy frames. This building is of architectural significicance because of its restrained use of classically correct elements in the stone veneer of the first story and in the detailing of the second story trim work. Little has been done to alter this building's original architectural character, other than the addition of signage. It remains the best example of the classical bank genre of its period within the west side (Sawyer) commercial district and within the entire city. NOTE: This is probably not local limestone as the material produced by the Sturgeon Bay quarries was difficult to saw and carve and was usually reserved for rockfaced or other rough surface applications. The property upon which this building is located was vacant when John Sorenson set off Subdivison 62 in 1901. The resulting lots - called Sorenson's Add'n were sold off for development. By 1907, Lot 8 was owned by G. Waters and valued at $500, which Lot 9 was owned by John Rank who constructed a building valued at $300 upon it. In 1908, Rank increased the value of his lot by a factor of 10, raising its value to $4,000 ($3,000 building). The Rank building is described by the Sanborn Maps. Further improvements took place in 1917. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. SANBORN Perris Maps of Sturgeon Bay, 1904-1911. B. Tax Roll, City of Sturgeon Bay. Take a Walk on Main Street: Historic Walking Tours in Wisconsin's Main Street Communities, Wisconsin Main Street Program, 1998. C.The Architecture of Fred D. Crandall-Door County Library-Picasa Web Albums |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |