Property Record
200-212 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Powell Place |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Coulee Office Equipment; Healy Block |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 29593 |
| Location (Address): | 200-212 MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1873 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | 1983 |
| Survey Date: | 1996 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Powell Place |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 12/22/1983 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Composed of several buildings linked by similar ornamentation; projecting metal cornice with brackets and dentil trim; elaborately articulated projecting window hoods with decorative keystones and bracketed ends; triangular pediment over east end bay; brick surface articulated by recessed panels with corbeled ornament along the top one bay wide on the north facade and alternating two and one bay widths on the west facade; corbeled brick cornice above the store front with capped brick and iron piers and fluted Corinthian cast iron columns remaining on the sheet level facade; brick belt courses divide the surface horizontally. This brick block developed by Benjamin Healey is one of the two best remaining examples of the Victorian commercial Italianate style that was fashionable during the second half of the 19th century in the City of La Crosse. Powell Place was established by Dr. D. Frank Powell. It became the headquarters of the Powell Institute, a "medical" center which specialized in treating "diseases of women" and producing various patent medicines. Frank Powell was known by his Indian name- White Beaver. He was a friend of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, and he lived an interesting and adventurous life in the Western Frontier and served as major of La Crosse on four occasions (1885-1887, 1893-1897). Powell was one of the most colorful individuals who ever settled in La Crosse. Powell helped to establish his two brothers in "medical" practice in La Crosse. Powell Place represents the transition of medicine from a quack/popular practice into a scientific profession. RENOVATED 1983. CAST IRON COLUMNS ON STOREFRONT. POWELL USED INDIAN MEDICINES. LaCrosse Commercial H.D. National Register#: 94001064 |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) A Sanford and H. Hirshheimer, A History of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1841-1900 (La Crosse Co. Historical Society, 1951) p. 146-147. (B) Pratt and Owen, La Crosse Illustrated (La Crosse: Art Publishing Co., 1887; Reprint, 1978). p. 59. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |