Property Record
1023 Wisconsin Ave (AKA 1025 WISCONSIN AVE)
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | SLAUSON BARN |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 11944 |
| Location (Address): | 1023 Wisconsin Ave (AKA 1025 WISCONSIN AVE) |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
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| Quarter Section: | |
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| Year Built: | 1868 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | garage |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | George Slauson |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Southside Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/18/1977 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | DR. JAMES W. CARHART DESIGNED AND BUILT 1ST HORSELESS CARRAIGE - THE SPARK - IN 1873 in part of this building. Carhart, a Methodist minister, was called the "Father of the Automobile" in the 1/14/1904 issue of Horseless Age. He was also declared such at the 1908 International Automobile Exposition in Paris. South Side Historic District Walking Tour Guide, 1993: "IN 1873 IT WAS THE WORKSHOP WHERE REVEREND J. WESLEY CARHART BUILT ONE OF THE EARLIEST HORSELESS CARRIAGES IN AMERICA. IT WAS STEAM-DRIVEN AND LOOKED LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN AN OPEN BUGGY AND A SPINDLY LOCAMOTIVE. HE CALLED IT THE "SPARK". THE REVEREND CARHART WAS PASTOR OF THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH IN RACINE FROM 1871-1874. MRS. SLAUSON WAS A MEMEBER OF HIS CONGREGATION AND MAY HAVE OFFERED HER BARN TO ENCOURAGE THE INVENTIVENESS OF HER MINISTER. THAT INVENTIVENESS WAS HONORED AT THE 1908 AUTOMOBILE SHOW IN PARIS, WHERE CARHART WAS HAILED SOMEWHAT ERRINGLY AS THE FATHER OF THE AUTOMOBILE." |
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| Bibliographic References: | Racine Journal 5/7/1873. Racine Times Call 6/18/1929. Racine Landmarks Preservation Commission, South Side Historic District Walking Tour Guide, 1993. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |