Property Record
113 - 115 W 2ND ST (aka MAIN ST W)
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | PENN BLOCK |
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| Other Name: | TOM'S BARBER SHOP AND A F PENN & SON |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 864 |
| Location (Address): | 113 - 115 W 2ND ST (aka MAIN ST W) |
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| County: | Ashland |
| City: | Ashland |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1936 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | small office building |
| Architectural Style: | Art Deco |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Concrete |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | West Second Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 2/2/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | SEVERE AND SYMMETRICAL FACADEMODIFIED ENGLISH BOND BRICKWORK [Date Cnst:(DATESTONE)] Description: This three-story cream brick office building, the latest significant building in the district, is entirely intact and features a symmetrical facade and an austere treatment derived frm the International style. The brick is laid in a modified English bond with continuous rows of stringers that are interrupted by a single continuous row of headers. The original windows are intact. The storefronts, equally simple and austere, retain their original doors and predominantly oak interiors. Significance: This tall brick building is considered pivotal for its architectural integrity and is significant as the latest building in the district's period of significance. The severely simple and strictly symmetrical facade lends an International Style character to the building, which is stylisticaly unequalled in Ashland. A small building in the district (#10) resembles this and thus establishes a stylistic link at two ends of West Second Street. In addition, the building is historically significant for its association with the Penn family of Ashland, whose descendents still own the property and operate their real estate and insurance business from the first story office. When Ashland's waterfront was busy with shipping interests, the Penn Company was a steamship agent. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Assessor's Card, City of Ashland. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |