189 E CHESTNUT ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

189 E CHESTNUT ST

Architecture and History Inventory
189 E CHESTNUT ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:MEINHARDT BANK
Other Name:BURLINGTON MARINE BANK
Contributing: Yes
Reference Number:10618
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):189 E CHESTNUT ST
County:Racine
City:Burlington
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1848
Additions:C. 1947
Survey Date:1975
Historic Use:bank/financial institution
Architectural Style:Federal
Structural System:
Wall Material:Brick
Architect: Caleb P. Barns
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name: Burlington Downtown Historic District
National Register Listing Date:6/2/2000
State Register Listing Date:10/22/1999
National Register Multiple Property Name:
NOTES
Additional Information:SAID TO BE OLDEST BANK BUILDING IN RACINE CO. EXTENSIVELY ALTERED. STONE QUOINS. HABS WI-131.

This building is now operating as a Chase Bank. Dr. Edward G. Dyer, at one time, had an office on the second floor. The building, known as the Meinhardt Bank from 1891-1970, was erected around 1847 by Caleb P. Barns, a lawyer and banker who was also an abolitionist and friend of Dr. Dyer's.

While some stories have linked the building with the Underground Railroad and with Caroline Quarll's escape, it was not built until several years after her flight. No information has been found that other fugitives were hidden there; and a 1954 history of the Meinhardt Bank made no mention of the building's being an Underground Railroad stop.
Bibliographic References:The Underground Railroad in Burlington and Vicinity, Racine Historical Society, 2002, p. 15. BUR SPUR OF WISCONSIN'S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, BROCHURE.
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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