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Summary
Lorenzo Dow Fargo Free Public Library
120 East Madison Street, Lake Mills, Jefferson County
Architect: Ferry & Clas
Date of Construction: 1902
The Lorenzo Dow Fargo Free Public Library was designed by Milwaukee firm Ferry & Clas using English medieval motifs that were becoming popular with the emergence of Period Revival styles. Its exterior stone was gathered from the nearby fields of L.D. Fargo, a prominent Lake Mills businessman who gifted the library to the village. Volunteer labor helped to dig and transport the stone to the site.
Steeply pitched gable dormers jut through the roof and carry the stone wall material up into the roofline, dominating the building. A central entrance boldly projects from the face of the building. Its canopy is the most elaborate element of the exterior with tracery-like bargeboards supported by large brackets. The delicate cutwork of these bargeboards is mirrored above at each gable. The corner walls slope with buttress-like supports adding to the building¿s medieval flavor. The rectangular leaded-glass windows light the interior. An oriel window on the west façade is balanced on the east façade by a shallow bay that houses the fireplace beneath the chimney.
The library is the centerpiece of Lake Mills cultural life. L.D. Fargo and the village council wanted the library to be free with no distinction of society, nationality or color. Fargo wanted space for reading rooms, a museum, and rooms for other literary and scientific purposes. The Women¿s Club, who maintained the previous library and donated books for the library collection, was also given space in the library.
The library is still in operation and is open during regular hours.
Property Details
| Criteria | Event,Architecture/Engineering |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Architecture,Social History |
| Period of Significance | 1875-1899,1900-1924 |
| Architectural Style | Late Gothic Revival |
| Architect | Ferry & Clas,Giles,L.A. |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | Library,Civic |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 1 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Contributing Objects | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jan 18, 1982 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jan 1, 1989 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
L.D. Fargo Public Library
1950
The Lorenzo Dow Fargo Public Library building is partially obscured by trees in this photographic postcard. The stone, Gothic revival building has a central spire. There are broad steps leading fro...
Lorenzo Dow Fargo Library
1910
The Lorenzo Dow Fargo Library. Caption reads: "L. D. Fargo Library, Lake Mills, Wis."
Fargo Library
1900
A cyanotype print of the Lorenzo Dow Fargo Library under construction. Workmen are positioning roof trusses for the Gothic revival building. The stonework for the first story facade has been compl...
