Property Record
201-205 S 5TH AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Exchange Building |
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| Other Name: | Hoeschler Exchange Building |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 32302 |
| Location (Address): | 201-205 S 5TH AVE |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
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| Year Built: | 1940 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1996 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Art/Streamline Moderne |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Concrete |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | La Crosse Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 9/2/1994 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 10/8/1993 |
| 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. Poured concrete is used to create the smooth surface texture essential to the Art Moderne style in the six-story Hoeschler Exchange Building. A curved north corner with corner entrance; window bands continue around curve of corner; geometric designs pressed into the concrete and moulded trim ornament the entrance to the upper story offices. Bull symbol of Hoeshler family inscribed into elevator shaft projection on the roof of the structure. Designed by J. Mander Matson in 1940 for the Hoeschler family, prominent local realtors and investors whose family symbol, the Bull, is located at the top of the facade. The elevator housing on the roof has a relief sculpture of a bull. During the Depression years, Hoeschler always claimed to be "bullish" on La Crosse. He was responsible for getting the city to change Fifth Street to Fifth Avenue, to link the local street with the famous Fifth Avenue in New York City. The Exchange Building, is a significant representative as one of the two best commercial Modern styled buildings in La Crosse. (Other Moderne Style: Tribune Building at 435 South 4th Street). This style ended as the United States went to war and few buildings were built in the 1940s. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Dr. L. Crocker, A Preliminary List of Buildings in the city of La Crosse with Significant Architectural value, 1977. B. Building Inscription. C. La Crosse Tribune, June 13, 1941. D. La Crosse Tribune, July 14, 1940. LACROSSE TRIBUNE 7/27/1996. Crocker, Leslie. La Crosse Buildings through Time. La Crosse: La Crosse Public Library Archives Department, 2015. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |