| Additional Information: | Architect Russel W. Geske designed the 1944 office addition and Walter Pollatz designed the 1952, 1956 and 1962 office additions. A. Guenther Construction company was cited as the builder for the 1952 addition, while the Pfiefer Construction Company was cited as the builder for the 1956 addition.
This sprawling, brick office building (constructed in phases in 1937, 1944, 1949, 1952, 1956 & 1962) largely consists of a two-story core from which projects several one-story wings. Based upon Sanborn maps and current aerial imagery, the northeastern blocks of the building appear to be a former service garage (1937 and 1949) and a sign shop and oil warehouse (1945). Overall, the building's defining feature is that the second floor on the eastern elevation projects significantly to form a large vehicle drive through. The overhang is supported by groups of four slender, metal posts. Other notable elements include regularly spaced rows of recessed brick that provide for a banded appearance, a curvilinear tower anchored in the southwest corner and corner window groupings.
The subject property, as currently configured, was originally the corporate headquarters of Clark's Super Gas Company, Inc., which was founded by Emory T. Clark. Clark opened the first Clark Gas Station at the northwest corner of S. 60th Street and W. Greenfield Avenue in West Allis in 1932. Although Clark was a contractor by trade, he took over the business after a client was unable to pay off a loan. Five years later, Clark constructed an office and garage on the subject property site, which became the main office for Clark's Super Gas Company, Inc., subsequently known as Clark Oil & Refining Company, and Clark Oil. By 1966, Clark Oil maintained over 1,000 stations throughout ten states, owned a refinery and was a part of various pipelines and oil fields. As the company grew, so did its corporate headquarters, as reflected by the various additions and alterations to the subject structure. According to a historical photograph, the building had largely achieved its current appearance by 1967. Emory Clark served as chairman and chief executive officer for the company until 1974; however, he returned briefly in 1978. In 1980, he sold his interest in Clark Oil, and the firm was sold to Apex Holdings Company of St. Louis, Missouri, the next year. Clark passed away in 1984 at the age of 78.
2023: The Clark's Super Gas Company office building was constructed in 1937 and was originally a one-story rectangular building with an office in the front and a garage in the back. A second story addition was added in 1944. In 1947, an oil storage building was constructed northeast of the office building and in 1949, a garage storage room and tool house were constructed, abutting the oil and storage building. Through a series of additions and alterations between 1949 and 1971, the original office, oil storage, garage storage room and tool house buildings became one, large, multi-unit office complex. See DOE for more information.
Clark Oil and Refining Corporation occupied the building from 1937 until the early 1980s. During the 1940s, it was also the headquarters of the Petco Corporation, for which Emory Clark was the secretary and treasurer. In 1981, Apex Oil Company became the majority shareholder of Clark, and shortly after, in 1985, the main office building was remodeled for the Data Film Corporation. Since 1985 numerous tenants occupied sections of the building. The building was demolished between October and November 2023. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of West Allis, 1927-1951. Building Permits, 4 June 1937 (garage & office); 13 July 1944 (2nd story addition to office building); 26 October 1949 (alteration to office); 23 June 1952 (alteration & addition on present office); 17 April 1956 (building adjacent to west wall of main office); 27 June 1962 (one-story office addition to north and addtion to east wall of present office)
Reportedly, Emory T. Clark gave few interviews, however, one known interview was conducted by the Milwaukee Journal in 1967, which should be located to provide more historical information regarding the history of Clark Oil. "Oil Company . . . Emory T. Clark Dies," Uncited newspaper article dated 27 February 1984, Located in Business Binders - C, WAHS; Historic Photograph, Dated 1967, Located in Business Binders - C, WAHS; Clark Oil Company history gleaned from www.clarkretail.com. |
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