Property Record
329-333 W MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | BARNES BLOCK |
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| Other Name: | ABBOTT APPLIANCES |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 28718 |
| Location (Address): | 329-333 W MAIN ST |
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| County: | Waukesha |
| City: | Waukesha |
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| Year Built: | 1858 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Limestone |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Downtown Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/28/1983 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of Waukesha |
| 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. THE BUILDINGS WERE HEAVILY DAMAGED BY FIRE LATE IN 1986. The Barnes Block was constructed as two separate buildings by C.C. Barnes, one of the owners of the Waukesha Stone Co. Both buildings are constructed of the local Niagara dolomite, laid in regular courses, and detailed in an identical manner. The first section of the building is located at 329 W. Main Street. This is an Italianate structure which rises three stories to the elaborate, bracketted cornice. The storefront of this building has been altered, but corner piers which support a bracketted entablature above the first story remain. Above this are three window openings capped by stone hood molds. The central unit consists of a pair of narrow windows and is further highlighted by a pedimented hood mold. The third story window arrangement is similar but round headed arches cover the center pair of windows; stilted segmental arches appear at either side. Smooth faced stone forms the hood molds, and keystones appear on the third story. Although a construction joint demarcates the two sections of the Barnes Block, the building was constructed to read as one unit. The second Barnes Block repeats the detailing of the first; however, the cornice has been partially removed. The Barnes Block is an early example of the stone commercial buildings which contributes to the distinctive quality of the commercial district. The Barnes Block provides within Waukesha a fine example of the Italianate style, and is one of the few examples remaining which exhibits this variety of ornamentation. See: Jackson Block (321 W. Main Street WK 6/27), constructed also in 1858-1859. Dr. Calvin Cole Barnes, an early Waukesha surgeon, built the Barnes Block in 1858 using stone from the quarry he had purchased from Morris Cutler and Charles R. Dakin in 1856. Barnes was originally from New York State and settled in Waukesha in the early 1850's. He was quite prosperous, being one of the original incorporators of the Waukesha County Bank and owner of this large commercial block on Main Street. He resided at 108 N. Barstow. Barnes served as a surgeon in the Union Army in the Civil War but did not return to Waukesha, moving instead to Manitowoc where he died in 1893. From its construction until 1882, the building's third floor also served as home to the Masonic Temple. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Zimmerman #750. (B) The Five Points Downtown Historic District Walking Tour, Waukesha Landmarks Commission. (C) Milwaukee Sentinel 11/1/1986. (D) Waukesha County Democrat, April 27, 1858, p. 3. (E) Waukesha County Democrat, November 16, 1858. (F) Loerke, Jean Penn, Waukesha Limestone; The Quarries, the Kilns, and the Buildings, WCHM, 1978, p. 11. (G) Pioneer Notebooks, Waukesha County Historical Museum. (H) Physicians and Surgeons Notebooks, Waukesha County Historical Museum. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |