Property Record
231 S MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Pabst Brewing Company Tavern / Frank Mrvicka Saloon |
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| Other Name: | EL ZARAPE RESTAURANT |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 11052 |
| Location (Address): | 231 S MAIN ST |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1891 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | tavern/bar |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Arnold Heinen |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Old Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 8/11/1987 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' (Mrvicka, Frank J. Saloon)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 State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. PAIR OF PYRAMIDAL ROOFED TURRETS FLANKING FRONT GABLE. ELABORATE BARGE BOARDS IN GABLE. CORBELLED PARAPET ALONG SIDE OF ROOF. POLYGONAL 2ND FLR 1/2 TIMBERED BAYS. THE BUILDER WAS ARNOLD HEINEN. The Pabst Brewing Co. built the Mrvicka Saloon in order to promote the sale of their beer. From the 1920s-1940s Richter's Restaurant, a German restaurant, occupied the building. Two saloons were built in the district by competing Milwaukee breweries, Pabst and Miller, to promote the sales of their beer. The first was built in 1891 by the Pabst Brewing Company for M.J. Mrvicka. The street front was remodeled in the 1920s to create a half-timbered facade for a well known German restaurant called Richter's, which operated here until the mid 1950s. The saloon built by the Miller Brewing Company, at 237 Main, is not nearly as picturesque. |
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| Bibliographic References: | PRESERVATION RACINE, INC. NEWSLETTER, SUMMER 1996. 1890 city directory. Assessor's records. Old Main Street Historic District Walking Tour Guide, 1990 |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |