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Summary
Marathon Shoe Company East Site Plant
1418 North First Street, Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin
Date of Construction: 1923
Shoe manufacturing became an important industry in Wausau as the paper milling industry experienced a decline in the early-twentieth century. The Marathon Shoe Company East Side Plant, constructed in 1923, is the best remaining representation of the Marathon Shoe Company, a prominent manufacturer in Wausau in the first half of the twentieth century. At the height of the company’s growth in the 1920s, the Marathon Shoe Company had four factories in operation, including the East Side Plant. In addition to being a leader in the local economy, the Marathon Shoe Company had a strong national reputation for its innovative welt construction, which eliminated the need for metal fasteners such as tacks or staples to connect a leather upper to a sole in the production of shoes, and for its marketing efforts for its Pied Piper line of high-end children’s shoes.
The building, has a gabled roof with a shallow pitch, rectangular massing and is two stories tall. The exterior of the building is of structural clay tile covered in stucco. At the interior, the building features open floor plates with a riveted steel truss and lattice steel column structural system.
This property is private. Please respect the rights and privacy of the owners.
Property Details
| Criteria | Event |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Industry |
| Period of Significance | 1923-1932 |
| Architectural Style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements |
| Architect | |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | Manufacturing Facility |
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 State Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Dec 2, 2016 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jan 12, 2017 |
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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