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Property Location
| Location (Address) | 130 N IOWA ST |
|---|---|
| County | Iowa |
| City/Village | Dodgeville |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1900 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 1984 |
| Historic Use | theater/opera house/concert hall |
| Architectural Style | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments | 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. Built in 1901, this three-story Commercial Vernacular styled auditorium features a rectangular shaped plan configuration, a brick exterior, and a flat roof. Arcading round arch openings and two-story bay windows highlight the facade. A heavy cornice located above the three-sided bays contains large brackets and dentil trim. Cast iron detail is also present above the storefront. Some alteration to the lower facade was executed at an unspecified date. A theater is located on the third floor. The structure is in excellent condition. Architectural/Engineering Significance: The Auditorium Building, a visually dominant feature of N. Iowa Street, is a locally important illustration of the commercial vernacular form of architecture. Constructed at the turn of the century, and housing both retail establishments and an "opera house," the three story brick block is an architecturally intact structure, which continues to reflect the tastes and intersets of its time. Historical Background: The Auditorium building superseded Spang's Opera House (420 N. Iowa Street, 47/22) as Dodgeville's cultural and social center. The three story structure provided adequate space for plays, concerts, dances, and commencements. The Sanborn Maps show a restaurant and a clothing store on the building's ground floor in 1905; a grocery and clothing store in 1915; and two stores (undifferentiated) in 1927. (See Bib. Ref. C). |
| Bibliographic References | A. Auditorium name: Interview with Gerald Fieldhouse, local historian, Dodgeville, Wisconsin, 14 December 1984. B. Date of Construction: 1899, 1905 Sanborn Perris Maps. C. 1905, 1915, 1927 Sanborn Perris Maps. D. Walking Tour of Historic Dodgeville, Wisconsin, Dodgeville Historic Preservation Commission, 1955. Take a Walk on Main Street: Historic Walking Tours in Wisconsin's Main Street Communities, Wisconsin Main Street Program, 1998. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Iowa Street Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Sep 06, 1996 |
| State Register Listing Date | Mar 25, 1996 |
| Contributing | Yes |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
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Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.




