Property Record
337-341 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | JUDD'S BLOCK |
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| Other Name: | Racine Art Museum |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 11065 |
| Location (Address): | 337-341 MAIN ST |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
| Township/Village: | |
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| Year Built: | 1847 |
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| Additions: | 2003 |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | small office building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
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| Wall Material: | |
| Architect: | Brininstool and Lynch-2003 |
| 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' 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. WINDOWED ATTIC STORY TOPPED W/BRACKETED METAL CORNICE. ONE OF 1ST BRICK BLDGS IN RACINE. ORIGINALLY BUILT IN THE FEDERAL STYLE. 60 FT WIDE. An 1883 photo indicates that the Main St. facade has been raised, brackets added and three small windows inserted below the cornice. This building originally housed the office of A. Cary Judd, a local attorney, land agent and conveyancer. The Racine Co. Bank began business in this building in December of 1853, and was incorporated in January of 1854. Liquidated on 5/16/1864, the Racine County Bank was reorganized as the First National Bank and is believed to be the oldest national bank in the county. Nicholas O. Fratt served as president of the bank for 51 years as well as being a state senator and two term candidate for governor. Building was re-skinned in 2003 to serve as the new Racine Art Museum. This was an award winning design. Racine County's first successful bank opened in the corner storefront of the Judd Block in 1854. It was incorporated as the Racine County Bank, but it was reorganized in 1864 as the First National Bank of Racine. It is now known as Bank One, Racine. Some of Racine's earliest newspapers operated out of the Judd Block. The Racine Advocate, which was published from 1842 to 1888, maintained its offices here during the 1850s. The Racine Vlksblatt (also in the 1850s) and the Racine Correspondent (from 1883 to 1918) both both German language newspapers, were published in this building, as was Folk Avis, a Danish weekly (in the 1870s). |
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| Bibliographic References: | Illustrated Atlas of Racine and Kenosa Counties, Wisconsin, Chicago: H.O. Brown and Co., 1887. 1957 Calendar of the First National Bank and Trust Co., Racine. Old Main Street Historic District Walking Tour Guide, 1990. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |