Property Record
234 WISCONSIN AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Emerson Linseed Oil Works |
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| Other Name: | D.P. Wigley Co. |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 11920 |
| Location (Address): | 234 WISCONSIN AVE |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
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| Year Built: | 1872 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | industrial bldg/manufacturing facility |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| 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. HEAVY CORBELLING AT COURSE BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND FLR. LANCET WINDOWS. This building was constructed at a cost of $16,000. Thomas J. Emerson began this business in 1872 and by 1887 was joined in proprietorship by his brothers, William T. and Charles A. Thomas Emerson came to Racine in 1844, practiced law until 1855, sold real estate from 1855-1862, served as a collector of Internal Revenue 1862-1866 and then opened this linseed oil works. In 1905, this building became a warehouse for the D.P. Wigley Co. This plant had the capacity for processing 100,000 bushels of seed into oil annually. In 1905 the building was purchased by the D.P. Wigley Company, which has sold feed, seed, and fertilizer here ever since. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1872-1873 city directories. Assessor's records. Butterfield, C.W. The History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1879, p. 580. Old Main Street Historic District Walking Tour Guide, 1990. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |