Property Record
232 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | THE TOWNE HOUSE |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 31098 |
| Location (Address): | 232 MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Lafayette |
| City: | Darlington |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1982 |
| Historic Use: | small retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 10/7/1994 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/15/1994 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | THIS TWO-STORY COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE HAS STONE ELEVATIONS AND A BRICK FACADE THAT IS TOPPED WITH A WIDE CORNICE COMPOSED OF BRACKETED AND DENTICULATED DETAILS. ROWS OF CUT AND DENTICULATED BRICK AND RECESSED PANELS STRETCH ACROSS THE FACADE BENEATH THE CORNICE. PROJECTING CORBELED WINDOW CORNICES OVER LONG WINDOWS (NOW REPLACED) AND A SECOND, BRACKETED CORNICE AT 2ND FLOOR LEVEL FURTHER ACCENTS THE FACADE. THE STORE FRONT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY ALTERED FOR CONTEMPORARY USE. THIS BUILDING IS IMPORTANT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DARLINGTON'S COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE TOWNE HOUSE TAKES ON ITS HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE AT THIS TIME AS AN ENTERTAINMENT PLACE. BUILT PRIOR TO 1884, IT WAS A SALOON AND BOWLING ALLEY FROM THAT POINT THROUGH THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.(A) IT WAS A NECESSARY EVIL AND PROVIDED ENTERTAINMENT IN A PERIOD WHEN THERE WEREN'T MANY DISTRACTIONS. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN, ABOUT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY IT WAS MANAGED BY F. M. MCCONNELL AND OWEN MCGUIRE.(B,C) Covenant/Easement: From 6/10/1994 to 6/10/1999. A 'covenant file' exists for this property. It may contain additional information such as photos, drawings and correspondence. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | SANBORN-PERRIS MAP, DARLINGTON, 1884, 1889, 1900. KENNETH SCHREITER, INTERVIEW, 1-10-83. "WISCONSIN STATE GAZETTEER," 1911-12, P. 267. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |