Property Record
304 S MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Medford Post Office |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | U.S. Post Office |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 37774 |
| Location (Address): | 304 S MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Taylor |
| City: | Medford |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1937 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | post office |
| Architectural Style: | Colonial Revival/Georgian Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Louis Simon |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Medford Post Office |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 10/24/2000 |
| 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. THE "P" IN THE PHOTO CODES STANDS FOR "PO." ANOTHER COMPLIANCE NUMBER FOR THIS STRUCTURE IS 85-0241/TA. THIS BUILDING IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE GEORGIAN REVIVAL STYLE. THE PLAN OF THE BUILDING IS RECTANGULAR WITH THE PUBLIC ENTRANCE/LOBBY OFF OF THE MAIN STREET FACE. THE ELEVATION IS ORGANIZED SYMMETRICALLY ABOUT THE PROJECTING ENTRY PORTICO. THE BUILDING HAS A SHINGLED HIP ROOF WITH DORMERS PROVIDING WINDOWS TO THE SECOND LEVEL. THE BUILDING IS CONSTRUCTED OF RED BRICK WITH LIMESTONE TRIM. THE CORNERS OF THE BUILDING ARE ACCENTED WITH BRICK QUOINS. THE ENTRY PORTICO IS SUPPORTED BY SMOOTH LIMESTONE COLUMNS WITH ACANTHUS LEAF CAPITALS. THE FULL PEDIMENT SUPPORTED BY THESE COLUMNS IS OF LIMESTONE AND IT'S ARCHITRAVE ALIGNS WITH THE LIMESTONE CORNICE ON THE BUILDING, AND IS ENGRAVED WITH THE BUILDING'S NAME. THERE IS SOME DETERIORATION OF THIS CORNIE WHERE THE PORTICO JOINS THE BUILDING. THE ENTRY DOOR AT THE BUILDING FACE IS TRIMMED WITH FLUTED LIMESTONE PILASTERS SUPPORTING A LIMESTONE HEAD. THE WINDOWS AND DOORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NATURAL FINISH ALUMINUM FRAMES. THE GRANITE CORNERSTONE NOTES: "HENRY MORGENTHAU, JR., SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, JAMES A. FARLEY, POSTMASTER GENERAL, LOUIS A. SIMON, SUPERVISING ARCHITECT, NEAL A. MELICK, SUPERVISING ENGINEER, 1937." THE BUILDING WAS ORIGINALLY OCCUPIED IN JUNE OF 1938. THE INTERIOR HAS THE ORIGINAL TERRAZZO FLOOR AND MARBLE WAINSCOT. THE WALLS AND CEILING ARE OF PLASTER. AN ALUMINUM FRAMED WINDOW WALL HAS BEEN ADDED TO SEPARATE THE POST OFFICE BOXES FROM THE SERVICE PORTION OF THE LOBBY. THE ORIGINAL STAINED WOOD TRIM AND DOORS ARE INTACT. THE BUILDING, WHICH IS IN FAIR CONDITION, WAS ORIGINALLY OCCUPIED IN JUNE OF 1938. THIS POSTAL STATION IS LOCATED ON THE MAIN THROUGHFARE IN THE HEART OF MEDFORD'S BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE: THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THIS MODULE WHICH WAS PART OF THIS SURVEY. IT RETAINS MOST OF ITS INTEGRITY EXCEPT FOR ITS WINDOWS AND DOORS WHICH HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY ALUMINUM UNITS. THIS APPEARS TO BE PART OF A GROUP OF POST OFFICES CONSTRUCTED IN THE 1930'S UNDER THE FEDERAL WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION. Covenant/Easement: In Perpetuity. Effective 12-18-2000. A 'covenant file' exists for this property. It may contain additional information such as photos, drawings and correspondence. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | A. DATE OF CONSTRUCTION - CORNERSTONE. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |