Property Record
182 N CENTRAL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Richland Center City Auditorium |
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| Other Name: | Richland Center City Auditorium |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 16384 |
| Location (Address): | 182 N CENTRAL AVE |
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| County: | Richland |
| City: | Richland Center |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1911 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1976 |
| Historic Use: | city hall |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | BAJARI AND BENTLEY |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Court Street Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 11/13/1989 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Richland Center City Auditorium |
| National Register Listing Date: | 8/18/1980 |
| 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. Architectural Description: Designed in 1911 by Percy Bentley of the LaCrosse architectural firm Bentley and Bajari of LaCrosse, the Richland Center City Hall and Auditorium was built by local contractors, Miner and Lamson in a "modernized classical style" (BC). Built on a stone foundation constructed by Otto Klinzing, this red brick rectangular building is characterized by an entablature comprised of a projecting cornice with modillions under the overhang and a plain frieze that is visually supported by applied brick pilasters with flat white concrete Ionic capitals on the recessed center bays of the facade (D). A rusticated basement story and segmental arched window bays in the center bays of the facade are classical influenced characteristics that further characterize this well-preserved, simplified abstract Neo-classical design. The building is vertically divided on the side elevations by recessed brick panels and horizontally divided by a white belt course separating the main floor from the rusticated basement story. Containing city offices on the first and second floors, the building's space is used mainly for the auditorium. Two stories tall, the the auditorium was designed with a cantilevered curving balcony for a total seating capacity of 828 people (AD). Originally decorated by a mountain with a castle and urns background, the auditorium was repainted and a new lighting and sound system was installed in 1967 (DE). Architectural/Engineering Significance: The Richland Center City Hall and Auditorium is significant under Criterion C as an example of Neo-classical architecture. One of three well-preserved examples of Neo-classical influenced large public and commercial buildings in Richland Center, the Richland Center City Hall and Auditorium exhibits the classical entablature, Ionic columns, rusticated base, and modillion trim that is associated with the Neo-classical style. Of the three Neo-classical buildings, the City Hall building is a more abstract design and less traditional than the remaining examples. Other significant examples of Neo-classical architecture are the Masonic Temple at 189 North Central Avenue (19-14) and the First National Bank at 108 East Court (15-13). Built as a city hall to replace an earlier small city hall on North Church and as an income-producing auditorium, the well-preserved Richland Center City Hall and Auditorium was designed by Percy Bently, a LaCrosse architect who first gained prominence as a designer of Prairie School houses. Later after he left LaCrosse, Bentley received national recognition as the architect of Colonial Revival architecture as an architect in the State of Oregon. The Richland Center City Hall and Auditorium was added to the NRHP in 1980. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. National Register Nomination Form, Files, Preservation Division, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. B. Richland (WI) Republican and Observer, 1 February 1911. C. Ibid., 10 August 1911. D. Margaret Scott, Richland Center, Wisconsin, A History (Richland Center: Richland County Publishing, 1972) pp. 171-172, 309. E. Richland (WI) Observer, 28 December 1967. Take a Walk on Main Street: Historic Walking Tours in Wisconsin's Main Street Communities, Wisconsin Main Street Program, 1998. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |