Property Record
1827 SIMS PLACE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | John Gund Brewery Racking and Wash House |
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| Other Name: | South Avenue Beer Depot |
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| Reference Number: | 33476 |
| Location (Address): | 1827 SIMS PLACE |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
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| Year Built: | 1895 |
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| Additions: | C. 1956 |
| Survey Date: | 1996 |
| Historic Use: | industrial bldg/manufacturing facility |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Four-story industrial building with brick piers and cornice dividing the exterior and round arched windows. Facade broken brick piers vertically and horizontally by a small projecting cornice at the center of the structure; round arched windows form an arcade on the lower half of the facade. White stone accents give the building a horizontal emphasis. A tower is located on the northwest end of the structure. One story addition for commercial use has been added to the front of the structure. Although suffering architectural deterioration, the structure has retained sufficient character for it to be a significant historic representative of the Gund Brewery. John Gund was one of La Crosse's major figures. He became one of the three most important brewers in La Crosse. In 1872 Gund established the Empire Brewery. A fire destroyed the brewery in 1897 and it was rebuilt in 1898. Architect G.F. Struck designed the new brewery. Heileman acquired the company in 1920. Related buildings: Malt House (2104 South Ave.); Gund Office (2111 South Ave.); Gund Stable (2219 South Ave.); Bottling Works (2130 South Ave.). Also 2126 South Avenue. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Map of J. Gund Brewery Co., La Crosse County Historical Society, Swarthout Museum. (B) Sanborn-Perris Maps. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |