Property Record
222 MAIN ST (AKA 215 STATE ST)
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Dr. Shoop Family Medicine Company |
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| Other Name: | Shoop Building |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 11355 |
| Location (Address): | 222 MAIN ST (AKA 215 STATE ST) |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
| Township/Village: | |
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| Year Built: | 1893 |
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| Additions: | 1899 1902 |
| Survey Date: | 1975 |
| Historic Use: | large retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | JAMES GILBERT CHANDLER |
| 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. RICHARDSONIAN ARCHED DOORWAY. VARIOUS WINDOW SHAPES AND TREATMENTS. ROUND ORIEL/TOWER ON CNR. This building was once the tallest building in Racine. The Dr. Shoop Family Medicine Co. was a national leader producing patent medicines at the start of the 20th century. Designed by James Gilbert Chandler a Racine architect who established a practice here in 1879. This complex was built for Dr. Clarendon I. Shoop, who came to Racine about 1883 and began a patent medicine business about 1890. Dr. Shoop's nostrums were widely advertised and were sent throughout the world. As his sales increased his building grew, and his business flourished unitl the passing of the Pure Food and Drug Act. In 1910 a three year old firm, which had just changed its name to Western Printing and Lithographic Company, moved into a portion of the building. It had been printing labels and literature for Dr. Shoop's products, and so it rented a small amount of space in the basement to be close to one of its best customers. The demand for Dr. Shoop's remedies was subsiding just as Western's business was growing and by 1914 when Dr. Shoop retired, Western took over the whole building and remained here until 1928, when it moved to a new plant on Mound Ave. |
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| Bibliographic References: | PRESERVATION RACINE, INC., NEWSLETTER, SUMMER 1995. Racine Landmarks Map Guide, 2003. Old Main Street Historic District Walking Tour Guide, 1990 Renewing Our Roots: A Guide To Racine, Wisconsin, Central City, Southside, Preservation-Racine, 1977. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |