132-140 W JAMES ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

132-140 W JAMES ST

Architecture and History Inventory
132-140 W JAMES ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:COOK BLOCK
Other Name:COMMERCIAL BLOCK
Contributing: Yes
Reference Number:3471
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):132-140 W JAMES ST
County:Columbia
City:Columbus
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1850
Additions: 1904 1883
Survey Date:1975
Historic Use:small retail building
Architectural Style:Commercial Vernacular
Structural System:
Wall Material:Cream Brick
Architect:
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name: Columbus Downtown Historic District
National Register Listing Date:3/5/1992
State Register Listing Date:1/22/1992
National Register Multiple Property Name:
NOTES
Additional Information:GABLE SHAPED FALSE FRONTS W/ELABORATE BRICK WORK CORNICES, SEGMENTAL ARCHED WINDOWS. THIS BUILDING HOUSED MCNULTY'S GROCERY STORE FROM 1918 TO 1955.

This shop at 136 W James started as a wooden building c. 1850. It housed Palace Clothiers. Commissioned by A.G. Cook, a pioneer developer int he city, the brick facade and stone structure was added in 1904 by builder Lewis Sawyer to match the buildings on either side of it. The shop at 136 W James still shows its original facade of recessed wooden doors.

"These matching cream brick buildings were built for A.G. Cook, a pioneer developer in the city, by Nelson Sawyer. Sawyer also built the adjoining building at 128 West James for his successful hardware business. His building later housed McNulty's Grocery store from 1918 to 1955." Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated.
Bibliographic References:COLUMBUS HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE TOURS, COLUMBUS HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION, 1994. Columbus History and Architecture Tours, 2009. Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated.
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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