Property Record
415 W 2ND ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | New Vaughn Block |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Music Center |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 898 |
| Location (Address): | 415 W 2ND ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Ashland |
| City: | Ashland |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1890 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | CONOVER AND PORTER (A) |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | West Second Street Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 2/2/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| 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. COUPLED PAIR OF ARCHED WINDOWS ON THIRD STORY. TERRA COTTA ORNAMENTAL PANELS. MASSIVE SCALE AND SOPHISTICATED STYLE. [Date Cnst:-1892] DESCRIPTION: Although altered on the first floor, the impressive Vaughn block features the finely detailed ornament and well-proportioned facades of the early 1890's for which Conover and Porter were so highly regarded throughout Wisconsin. The three-story red brick facade is most noteworthy for its foliated terra-cotta ornament of Renaissance Revival character found on the massive bracketed cornice, the capitals of the small columns which support the round arches over the windows, and the two central rectangular panels between the second story rectangular windows. SIGNIFICANCE: Named after Honorable S.S. Vaughn, this impressively designed building is considered pivotal in the district for its second and third story integrity of materials and style, and because it was designed by the reputable architectural firm of Conover, Porter and Padley. Conover and Porter were partners in Madison since 1887, the same year they opened their branch office in Ashland in order to take advantage of the high-quality native materials and the opportunity to design buildings for the rapidly expanding commercial harbor city of Ashland. Their efforts in Ashland were assisted by a local architect, Horace P. Padley, and together these three architects were responsible for Ashland's finest commercial buildings. All but one of their surviving commercial buildings are located within the district's boundaries. In addition to the Vaughn Block, the Security Savings Bank, the First National Bank survives and are all considered as pivotal to the district for their association with the offices of Conover, Porter and Padley. Their partnership lasted into the 1890s. The Conover, Porter and Padley buildings on West Second Street are well-preserved and sustain the district's integrity. Emeline Vaughn had this built after her husband, Samuel Vaughn, died in accordance with his will in the early 1890s. This and the Vaughn Library are significant for their association with this pioneer Ashland citizen. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |