Property Record
193 N MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Aetna Fire Station #5 |
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| Other Name: | Ondrasek Law Office |
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| Reference Number: | 28750 |
| Location (Address): | 193 N MAIN ST |
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| County: | Fond du Lac |
| City: | Fond du Lac |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1874 |
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| Additions: | 1878 |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | fire house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | COL. THOMAS H. GREEN |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Aetna Station No. 5 |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 12/12/1976 |
| 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. Photo code #2: 74FD-26/11,12 Photo code #3: D/112 This two story Italianate fire station has a low-pitched hip roof. Projecting from the roof is a two story square tower with a hip roof, decorative frieze and brackets, round arched arcaded openings, and brick corbelling. The wide eaves of the main building are decorated with a paneled frieze, paired brackets and a prominent pediment on the front facade. Under the frieze are rows of brick corbelling. Pilasters decorate the second story of the main facade and extend two stories on the side walls. A cornice separates the first and second stories. Two large multi-light garage type doors cover the fire truck entrances. In between them is a door with transom that serves as the main entrance to the building. Decorative brickwork at the corners of the first story main facade resemble quoins. The building at one time was renovated into apartments on the second floor and office space on the first floor. This building is significant and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places because it is a fine example of the Italianate style. It is also historically significant and listed in the National Register because it is a fine example of a nineteenth century fire station, the only one extant in Fond du Lac. Early fire stations are rare, often replaced with modern buildings, or seen as obsolete and poor candidates for adaptive reuse and demolished. Extant historic fire stations like this example are very significant as examples of how fire stations developed in the nineteenth century. Early fire protection in Fond du Lac was sparse, with only a few fire companies established prior to the late nineteenth century when the city council organized the first paid fire company. Several fire companies were established in 1874 and this fire house was constructed for this company at that time. It remained a fire station until it was purchased by a private developer who renovated the building into apartments and commercial space. RESURVEYED--N. MAIN STREET SURVEY (2008--HERITAGE RESEARCH) 2008- "Known as Aetna Fire Station #5, this Italianate-style building was listed in the National Register in 1976. It was designated a local landmark in 1991. The building remains unchanged since it was last surveyed in 1988." -"N Main St/USH45, from Johnson St (south) to Scott St (north), WisDOT #1420-11-00, Prepared by Heritage Research Ltd. (Faltinson, Vogel), 2008. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. City Directories for the City of Fond du Lac, on file at the Fond du Lac Public Library, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. B. Sanborn-Perris Maps for the city of Fond du Lac, on file in the Archives of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. C. Tax Rolls for the city of Fond du Lac, on file in the Area Research Center of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Library, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. D. Carol Cartwright, City of Fond du Lac Intensive Survey Report, Fond du Lac: city of Fond du Lac, 1992. Fond du Lac Reporter 7/30/2003. FOND DU LAC REPORTER 6/12/1994. FOND DU LAC TALKING HOUSES AND HISTORIC PLACES, FOND DU LAC CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |