Property Record
435 S 4TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | La Crosse Tribune Building |
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| Other Name: | BIMBO BAKERY |
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| Reference Number: | 32220 |
| Location (Address): | 435 S 4TH ST |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
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| Year Built: | 1938 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 199620122017 |
| Historic Use: | small office building |
| Architectural Style: | Art/Streamline Moderne |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Kruse and Parish |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | The rounded corner, the flat roof, the smooth wall finish free of historic ornament and horizontal bands of windows give the Tribune Building the streamlined appearance of the Art Moderne style. The starck appearance of the poured concrete walls and the curved block windows accentuate the hard edged industrial age style, while the cornice decoration softens the appearance of the structure. Features include: rounded front corner with recessed corner entrance; glass block windows continue around curve of round corner; flat scalloped cornice with band of flat geometric ornament below; fluted concrete piers frame the entrance. The Tribune Building was climate-controlled so the ink would flow correctly. Designed to minimize the vibration from the huge presses, the concrete frame was clearly shown on the exterior of the building. The massive column-like forms flanking the entrance bluntly exhibit the power of concrete. Designed in 1938 by Kruse and Parish of Davenport, Iowa, for the La Crosse Tribune newspaper, the old Tribune Building is one of the most notable representatives of commercial architecture influenced by the Art Moderne style in the City of La Crosse. Another Art Moderne building is the Exchange Building, 201 South 5th Street. Recently remodeled-glass block removed for concrete. Re-surveyed as part of 2012 Cass Street DOT project; fenestration changes, as noted above. 2017 UPDATE - BUILDING APPEARS SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME SINCE IT WAS LAST SURVEYED IN 2012 |
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| Bibliographic References: | Dr. L. Crocker, "A Report on Some Hisorical Structures in the Downtown Area of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1977. La Crosse City Directory, 1934-1939. La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press 21 July 1938. PAL newsletter, 15 Nov. 1992. Crocker, Leslie. La Crosse Buildings through Time. La Crosse: La Crosse Public Library Archives Department, 2015. Reid, Kenneth (Compiler). Industrial Buildings: The Architectural Record of a Decade. New York: F. W. Dodge Corp., 1951, pp. 449-453. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |