Property Record
102-106 E 2ND ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Central Block Building |
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| Other Name: | Pechman Color Lab |
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| Reference Number: | 51591 |
| Location (Address): | 102-106 E 2ND ST |
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| County: | Outagamie |
| City: | Kaukauna |
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| Year Built: | 1900 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Herman Wildhagen |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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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 Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. "The words "Central Block" are still boldly displayed on the entablature of the impressive, yet somewhat altered, two-story Neo-Classical building. Doric columns flank an arched entranceway (now altered). The building is organized into three horizontal divisions by belt courses. Single sash windows topped with keystones, and pilasters-smooth on the second floor and rusticated on the first-relieve this horizontality. Above the projecting cornice with dentils is a balustrade that crowns the roof. Constructed shortly after the turn of the 20th century as a bank (west wing) and retail store (east wing), the central Block Building is now owned and occupied by the Pechman Color Photo Studios. This change in function required boarding up the second floor windows, permanently altering the storefronts and completely revamping the interior. All the interior walls (except retaining walls) have been removed for new temporary partitions. The ceilings have been lowered. The marble floor and wainscoting, which at one time was the highlight of the bank, is also gone." Walking Tour Through Old Kaukauna: Two Self-Guided Historic Tours Kaukauna, Wisconsin, City of Kaukauna, 1983. This building would have commercial historical interest if major fires and subsequent remodelings had not severely damaged its integrity. It was built as an investment by Appleton financier John Stevens. It was the first showpiece structure of the First National Bank of Kaukauna, succeeding an 1885 small frame building on a site directly behind the site of the Central Block. It was renovated in 1922 and served as the Farmers and Merchants Bank until the early 1940s. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Sanborn Perris Map 1900, 1906, 1925. (B) Appleton, Outagamie County City Directories 1908-1982. (C) Kaukauna Sun 1886 Kaukauna Birdseye. (D) Kaukauna Times, January 13, 1950. (E) Appleton Post-Crescent, May 2, 1956. (F) Lion of the Fox River Valley, pp. 85-87. The Improvement Bulletin 1/13/1900. Walking Tour Through Old Kaukauna: Two Self-Guided Historic Tours Kaukauna, Wisconsin, City of Kaukauna, 1983. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |