Property Record
115 S 3RD ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | C and J. Michel Building |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 32119 |
| Location (Address): | 115 S 3RD ST |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
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| Year Built: | 1892 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1996 |
| Historic Use: | large retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Other Vernacular |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | La Crosse Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 9/2/1994 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 10/8/1993 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Bracketed metal cornice rectangular pediment extending above inscribed with C and J Michel. Unusual pair of elaborate two story oriel windows covered wth pressed metal ornamentation, rough stone. Flat, straight window lintels, store has been grossly altered from the original. Interior still contains stage arrangement on 2nd floor from its use as the Bijou theatre. Leaded glass panel in center of oriel window bay. The C & J Michael Building is important to the streetscape on Third Street because it has retained its stron architectural character although the building is in disrepair and the street level facade has been altered greatly. It is an important example of eclectic late 19th century architecture in La Crosse. Constructed by a local Brewery family, the C & J Michael Building housed the White House Dry Goods Store in the 1890s and the Bijou Theatre from 1906-1910 where Al Jolson and Buster Keaton performed. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Building Inscription. B. City of LaCrosse Tax Records, 1870-1900. C. L.P. Philippi, Philippi Art Souvenier (La Crosse Philippi Publishing Co., 1904, Reprint 1978) p. 90. D. LaCrosse (Wisconsin) Daily Press 4 July 1841. and 24 September 1891. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |