Property Record
202 S CHESTNUT AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Marshfield Post Office |
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| Other Name: | U.S. Post Office |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 55570 |
| Location (Address): | 202 S CHESTNUT AVE |
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| County: | Wood |
| City: | Marshfield |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1930 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | post office |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Limestone |
| Architect: | James A. Wetmore |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Marshfield Post Office |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/24/2000 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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. ANOTHER MAP CODE FOR THIS STRUCTURE IS 2/19. THE PHOTO CODES, 22/1-14, ARE PREFIXED BY THE LETTERS "PO." The building is an example of the Neo Classical style. The plan is rectangular with the public entrance/lobby on the Chestnut Avenue face. There has been an addition constructed to the rear of the building. The original building has a shingled hip roof while the addition has a flat roof. The elevation is organized symmetrically about the entry doors. The building is constructed of limestone and red brick on a limestone base. The entry doors and side windows are pulled out from the face of the building. The entire entry is limestone, with limestone pilasters supporting a denticulated limestone cornice that extends around the perimeter of the original portion of the building. There is a carved limestone eagle above the cornice. The balance of the building is trimmed with limestone. The windows are not original. The entry stairs are granite and concrete with limestone sides. The building cornerstone notes: "A.W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury, James A. Wetmoe, Acting Supervising Architect, 1930." The interior of the building has the original terrazzo floor and marble wainscot. The walls and ceiling are of plaster. There is some original wood trim in the lobby. The building, which is in good condition, is located on one of the major streets in the city's business/commercial district. ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE: The Marshfield Post Office is a locally important example of the Neo-Classical style of architecture. The modern addition does not detract from the original block. The most distressing issue related to the architectural integrity of the composition is the replacement of the windows and main entry doors. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The building, which was originally occupied in June of 1931, is the first federally owned Post Office in Marshfield. The Postal Station was originally occupied in June of 1931. Prior to its construction, the Post Office function was housed in numerous locations depending upon who the Postmaster was at the time. The first Post Office in Marshfield was established in 1872 and Louis River was the first Postmaster. (See Bib. Ref. B). |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Date of Construction - Building Cornerstone. B. Jones, George O. and Normal S. McVean, "History of Wood County, Wisconsin," Minneapolis, 1923. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |