CA 115 N MAIN ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

CA 115 N MAIN ST

Architecture and History Inventory
CA 115 N MAIN ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:George H. Bruns Building
Other Name:LAKE MILLS HARDWARE
Contributing: Yes
Reference Number:6959
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):CA 115 N MAIN ST
County:Jefferson
City:Lake Mills
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1895
Additions: 1976
Survey Date:197420142018
Historic Use:retail building
Architectural Style:Romanesque Revival
Structural System:
Wall Material:Cream Brick
Architect: John Hunzicker
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name: Lake Mills Downtown Commercial Historic District
National Register Listing Date:4/5/2019
State Register Listing Date:11/30/2018
National Register Multiple Property Name:
NOTES
Additional Information:A 'site file' titled Lake Mills Downtown Commercial Historic District 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History.


This three-story building was designed by John Hunzicker and was constructed in 1895 for George Bruns. This building is clad in brick and has a flat roof with an overhanging cornice supported by decorative modillions on the front (east) facade. The frieze features a pattern of low-relief decorative details and dentil coursing. The first floor of the front facade is clad in brick veneer and serves as a drive-thru for Greenwood’s State Bank, 117 North Main Street. The original first floor was replaced with the drive-thru in 1976, shortly after the bank acquired the property. A simple belt course with modillions accents the transition to the second story. The second and third stories are symmetrical and feature single-pane windows with transoms and sliding windows with semi-circular multi-light transoms and stone sills. Decorative stone panels with low-relief details separate the windows on the second and third stories. The center stone panel also features the word “BRUNS.”

Historically, the building housed a hardware store and tin shop and later served as offices. Based on the June 2014 site visit, the bank still owns the building and the upper floors are still used as office space.

1974-
ROUND ARCHED WINDOWS ON 3RD FLR. BRACKETED CORNICE.
Bibliographic References:Lake Mills Leader: January 24, 1895, p. 3; January 31, 1895, p. 3; May 2, 1895, p. 3; May 9, 1895, p. 3; May 23, 1895, p. 3; October 3, 1895, p. 3; November 14, 1895, p. 3; January 9, 1896, p. 3; January 13, 1898, p. 1 (illustrated). Wilson, Mary M. A History of Lake Mills: Creating a Society. Lake Mills, WI.: Self-Published, 1983, pp. 369-370. Roland R. Liebenow. People, Their Places and Things: a Vignette History of Lake Mills. Lake Mills (n.d.), p. 75.
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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