Property Record
607-609 E WASHINGTON AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | T.C. Olson Machine Shop/Lavin Grocery |
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| Other Name: | Pizza Extreme, Capitol Lights, Minds Eye Audio Productions |
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| Reference Number: | 114928 |
| Location (Address): | 607-609 E WASHINGTON AVE |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Madison |
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| Year Built: | 1915 |
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| Additions: | 1945 1939 1930 1947 |
| Survey Date: | 200120192021 |
| Historic Use: | small retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | 2019: This two-story commercial building was constructed in 1915. It is clad in brick siding on the front (north) facade and stucco on the side (west) elevation and has a flat roof with concrete coping. The building has three bays including a middle two-story portion and two one-story bays on the east and west sides of the building. Fenestration includes a replacement storefront window in each bay on the front facade and replacement, one-over-one, sash windows with stone sills on the second story. The side (west) elevation has two side entry doors. A narrow panel is located on the front facade and rear (south) elevation between the side (east) elevation of 607-609 E. Washington Avenue and the adjacent building at 615 E. Washington Avenue. According to building permits, the main block as well as the left wing were constructed in 1915 as a machine shop for Thomas C. Olson. The right wing is believed to have been constructed shortly thereafter as a grocery store for James Lavin. Olson began his business in 1913 and concentrated on machining and selling automobile parts. Sometime in the 1920s, Olson expanded into Lavin's grocery store building. By 1939, Olson advertised that his company was the most complete automotive machining shop in southern Wisconsin. The business carried an impressive inventory of 250,000 parts and also had a branch office in Richland Center. The firm continued business into the 1950s. 2021 - Resurveyed. Two-story central building with one-story wings, brick, minimal detailing, altered storefronts, replacement windows, stone sills and lintels on upper story. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1930, 1939, 1945, 1947. Permits; city directories. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |