Property Record
141 S MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | August Carstens Meat Market |
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| Other Name: | Kirby Company of Fond du Lac |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 54381 |
| Location (Address): | 141 S MAIN ST |
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| County: | Fond du Lac |
| City: | Fond du Lac |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1875 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1988 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | South Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/11/1993 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 2/8/1993 |
| 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. To be demolished in 1997. Photo code #2: 74FD-27/12. This decorative two story High Victorian Gothic commercial block has a thin stucco covering. The cornice has pilaster brackets supporting a central geometric designed parapet. Projecting from each end of the cornice are finials. Under the cornice is a paneled frieze sitting on a denticulated cornice. Shallow piers decorate the corners and center of the building. The openings of the second floor include a central window with a curvilinear arch and tall, arrow like keystones. Similar keystones decorate the segmentally-arched flanking windows. The openings have modern tinted glazing. A belt course in a cut out design also runs across the upper floor of the building. The storefront consists of modern show windows, an apron paneled with stone veneer, and a transom that has been enclosed with wood paneling. This building is an interesting example of the High Victorian Gothic style of architecture as a good representative of the style. This building was constructed for August Carstens Meat Market. Carsten's market was a descendent of the Bartlett and Olmstead Meat Market that began in Fond du Lac in 1860. After Olmstead left the store, Carstens joined with Bartlett in operating the market in the late nineteenth century. Carstens was sole proprietor of the market from the 1890s to around 1905. Other businesses in this building have included a print shop, shoe store, a clothing store, and a Salvation Army. This building has some historical interest as a general commercial building for the overall historic commercial activity that took place in this building throughout its history. |
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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. Fond du Lac Reporter 5/22/1997. Fond du Lac Reporter 5/23/1997. Fond du Lac Reporter 5/6/1997. Fond du Lac Reporter 4/25/1997. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |