Property Record
297 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | J.V. KELSEY BLOCK |
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| Other Name: | LORRAINE'S |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 55401 |
| Location (Address): | 297 MAIN ST |
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| County: | Sauk |
| City: | Reedsburg |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1873 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1977 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | Brick |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | William Dierks |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 12/26/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of Reedsburg |
| Additional Information: | This two story retail building features a rectangular shaped plan configuration, a cream brick exterior, a stone trim and flat roof. The triangular shaped cornice is massive in scale, and has heavy brackets visually supporting it from underneath. On the east-facing side elevation the brick cornice line is understated, with V-shaped corbelled brickwork adding delicate adornment directly below. The facade also contains corbelling; four decorative panels highlight the bays on the second story. The bays have continuous semi-circular arched stone window heads, each of which is accented by a keystone. These round arched window heads continue along the side elevation, this time in brick, also on the second story. All of the sills are made of stone. The windows are rectangular in shape and small in size, noticably smaller than the openings into which the windows were placed. New pink brick covers the storefront. A door with a round arched brick hood mold is located on the east elevation at the north end. The rear has the same window openings as the side elevation. A c. 1902 photograph shows four-over-four windows in the openings, the entry flush with the facade, and steps leading from the door to the sidewalk. The building, which is in good condition, has had its interior remodeled at an unspecifed date. Historical Background: John V. Kelsey moved his old store building to the west part of his lot, refurbished it for his wife's millinery (now gone) and built a new block on the corner where the old one had stood. (See Bib. Ref. A, H). A cornerstone was laid August 5, 1873. William Dirks, a local carpenter, builder and architect, put up the building. Dimensions were given as 24' x 80'. It was the only solid brick building on the block. Foundation stone came from "Dixon's 3 miles west of town." (See Bib. Ref. A). A dance was held in the building that Christmas. The building cost $8,000.00. (See Bib. Ref. L). David B. Miles of Reedsburg did the plastering. (See Bib. Ref. M). When a fire in May of 1877 destoyed the rest of the block, Kelsey's was the only building left standing. (See Bib. Ref. N). The store was painted in 1899 and in 1890 flags were flown on the building to try and keep birds from nesting on the cornice. (See Bib. Ref. O). Kelsey was a dealer in "dry goods, groceries, crockery, hats, caps boots and shoes, and notions." (See Bib. Ref. D). He was reported to have been one of two marchants who survived the hop crash in Reedsburg. He was a partner with T. R. Young in c. 1877-1880, selling and buing grains (Young Blocks SK 8/25, 283 Main Street & SK 45/24, 296 Main Street). Around 1890, he lived at present day 145 and 149 North Park Street (SK 23/15). The building is a retail store today and is connected to the adjacent building on the west side (SK 8/25, 823 Main Street). The commercial/industrial historic uses of this building include the following: General Store owned by Kelsey (and run by O. H. Perry, c. 1877), c. 1874-1890 (see Bib. Ref. A, D, F); Ableman & Lawsha Meats, c. 1877; (see Bib. Ref. G); Dane's Jewelry, Clark Shoes, Mrs. Kelsey's Dressmaking Shop, Iserman Tailor, W. A. Wyse (attorney), Justices of the Peace Kellogg and Miles, c. 1894 (see Bib. Ref. H); Hall c. 1874, 1904 (see Bib. Ref. A, B, I); G.A.R. (2nd story), c. 1885 (see Bib. Ref. I); Hardware, c. 1892 (see Bib. Ref. I); offices (2nd story), c. 1892; flour & feed store, c. 1898 (see Bib. Ref. I); restaurant, c. 1904 (see Bib. Ref. I); confectionary, c. 1912 (see Bib. Ref. I); movies, c. 1918-1925 (see Bib. Ref. I, J). The building is also associated with the annual meetings of the Old Settler's Association, which convened here from 1877 to 1880. (See Bib. Ref. B, C). |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. "Reedsburg Free Press," June 7, 1873 and July 18, 1873. B. "Reedsburg Free Press," January 31, 1878. C. Reedsburg Centennial Committee, "Reedsburg Remembers" (Historical Committee, Reedsburg Centennial, 1948). D. Bensel, A. A., "Bensel's Sauk County Directory" (Fond du Lac, P. B. Haber printing House, 1890). E. Schuette, W. J., and Freer, Theo., "Reedsburg Directory" (Reedsburg, Free Press Printing House, 1902-1903). F. "Reedsburg Free Press," May 10, 1877. G. "Reedsburg Free Press," January 1, 1877. H. "Reedsburg Free Press," December, 1894 - January, 1895. I. Sanborn-Perris Maps at the State HIstorical Society of Wisconsin, Madison. J. "Reedsburg Free Press," March 20, 1925. K. "Reedsburg Free Press," September 3, 1874. L. "Reedsburg Free Press," January 2, 1874. M. "Reedsburg Free Press," November 17, 1873. N. "Reedsburg Free Press," May 10, 1877. O. "Reedsburg Free Press," November 24, 1889, April 17, 1890, and August 7, 1890. P. REEDSBURG TIMES PRESS 8/10/1995. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |