Property Record
324 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | |
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| Other Name: | HOUSE OF VEILS AND GOWNS BRIDAL SHOP |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 31115 |
| Location (Address): | 324 MAIN ST |
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| County: | Lafayette |
| City: | Darlington |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
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| Year Built: | 1894 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1982 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/7/1994 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/15/1994 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | THIS BRICK, TWO-STORY COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE WITH FLAT SLOPING ROOF HAS A THREE-BAY ORIEL WINDOW DECORATED WITH CLASSICAL DESIGNS IN PRESSED METAL. PILASTERS TRIM THE SIDE OF THE RECESSED 2ND STORY (NOW PAINTED) FACADE WHILE A BRACKETED STAMPED METAL CORNICE TOPPED WITH A DATE PLAQUE PARAPET ACCENTS THE TOP OF THIS LATE 19TH CENTURY DESIGN. FLUTED IRON PILASTERS OUTLINE THE ACCESS DOOR TO THE 2ND STORY, THE RECESSED DOUBLE DOORED ENTRY AND THE STORE FRONT WINDOWS. THIS BUILDING IS ARCHITECTURALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT CONTRIBUTES TO THE OVERALL TURN OF THE CENTURY ENVIRONMENT OF THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT OF DARLINGTON. IN ADDITION, EXCEPT FOR MINOR ALTERATIONS THIS BUILDING HAS REMAINED IN THE STYLE IT WAS BUILT. THIS BUILDING IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TURN OF THE CENTURY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT ON DARLINGTON'S MAIN STREET. THE BUILDING WAS ERECTED IN 1894.(A,B) IT WAS ORIGINALLY A GROCERY STORE.(B) ACCORDING TO A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN, IT WAS OPERATED BY GEORGE LOQUE.(C) FROM 1908 UNTIL ABOUT 1920 GEORGE STEIL HAD A FURNITURE STORE IN THE BUILDING.(C,D,E) HE WAS ALSO AN UNDERTAKER IN A TIME BEFORE THE MODERN FUNERAL HOMES.(C) IT WAS ALSO THE LOCATION OF THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY STATE BANK.(C) THE BANK BEGUN BY SEVAR P. NELSON, T. E. QUINN AND CHARLES LUND ABOUT 1919, ONLY OPERATED ABOUT TEN YEARS.(C,D) IT WAS TOO SMALL AND COULD NOT COMPETE WITH THE OTHER ESTABLISHED BANKS IN DARLINGTON.(C) THUS, THIS BUILDING HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN TURN OF THE CENTURY COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY. |
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| Bibliographic References: | BUILDING CORNICE SANBORN-PERRIS MAP, DARLINGTON, 1900, 1908, 1915, 1924 KENNETH SCHREITER, INTERVIEW, 1-10-83 "WISCONSIN STATE GAZETTEER," 1919-20, P. 268. "WISCONSIN STATE GAZETTEER," 1911-12, P. 269. "WISCONSIN STATE GAZETTER," 1924-25, P. 203. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |