Property Record
505 W 2ND ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | FIFIELD BLOCK (SANBORN PERRIS MAP) |
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| Other Name: | ARMY AND NAVY STORE |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 907 |
| Location (Address): | 505 W 2ND ST |
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| County: | Ashland |
| City: | Ashland |
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| Year Built: | 1895 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brownstone |
| 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: | BUILT ENTIRELY OF BROWNSTONE SOUND CRAFTSMANSHIP SEEN IN VARIOUS CUTS OF STONE SYMMETRICAL FACADE ASSOCIATED EARLY ON WITH FIFIELD AND THE ASHLAND PRESS [Date Cnst:CA] DESCRIPTION: Described only briefly as the Fifield Block, this rock-faired brownstone commercial building is an early and largely intact example of a Richardsonian Romanesque style structure, but much less grand than its neighboring all-brownstone building, the old Post Office (#1). The first floor storefront has been altered but remains its early brownstone piers. The symmetrical facade exhibits a central entry framed by piers, on either side of which on the second floor are pairs of rectangular windows grouped by projecting pilasters; patterns and textures, primarily rectangular, are further developed above by the continuous brownstone cornice, smooth-faced blocks, and the reticulated brownstone parapet wall. SIGNIFICANCE: This two-story brownstone building, known only briefly as the Fifield Block, is significant as a contributing structure that is similar in date and materials to the Old Post Office (#1) and represents one of Ashland's rare buildings whose facade is made entirely of native Lake Superior brownstone. Property is shown completed on 1895 Sanborn-Perris Map. |
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| Bibliographic References: | [A] SANBORN PERRIS MAP AT SHSW |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |