Property Record
1407 N 3RD ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Koschmann General Store/Stone Office Service |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 50735 |
| Location (Address): | 1407 N 3RD ST |
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| County: | Marathon |
| City: | Wausau |
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| Year Built: | 1900 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20092018 |
| Historic Use: | general store |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| 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: | 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. Previously surveyed in 1983. Re-surveyed 2009. The original portion of the building, a rectilinear two-story section, is constructed of brick and was erected in 1900. Since then, other sections have been appended to the 1900 structure, including a one-story ca. 1920 brick wing on the south elevation, and several recent metal-clad additions on the east elevation. The building features an elaborate Italianate-influenced cornice with brackets on the north elevation of the 1900 section. The facade originally featured the same style of cornice but it was removed ca. 1960s when glass/enamel cladding was added to the facade. Recently, the glass/enamel cladding was removed to reveal original building detail, and the cornice was rebuilt and replaced. The facade of the original 1900 section and later ca. 1920 brick wing feature a ca. 1920 metal storefront with newer replacement openings. Koschmann's General Store was established in 1888 (at a different location) to supply groceries to neighborhood residents. Founded by Frederick B. Koschmann, the store initially carried a limited stock of supplies/groceries. In 1889, Koschmann decided to develop his own commercial building for the purpose of his general store. Koschmann chose the location at 1407 North Third Street; however, a fire in 1900 essentially destroyed the 1889 structure and Koschmann rebuilt a newer, larger building that same year. What started out as a modest grocery store eventually blossomed into a general store. At its height, the store sold everything from oats for horses, to shoes, to toys to sauerkraut, sweaters, and cookies. The Koschmann family later sold the building in 1954 and the building was subsequently remodeled. It was likely at this time or shortly thereafter that the former glass/enamel cladding was attached to the building. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) City Directories, 1883-1922. (B) Daily Herald 6/5/88. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |