Property Record
414-418 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | John Rehfuss Block |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 35007 |
| Location (Address): | 414-418 MAIN ST |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
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| Year Built: | 1866 |
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| Additions: | 1894 |
| Survey Date: | 1996 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Other Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Schick and Stoltze |
| 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: | Projecting metal cornice with brackets under the overhang and parapet with inscription "Rehfuss Building" above brick facade divided vertically by staged capped pilasters with upper capitals terminating in the metal cornice; series of round arched windows at the top of the center three-part window bays; two-story oriel windows on the east and west side of the facade with hip roof, dentil trim and pilaster framing; plain projecting cornice supported by capped pilasters at the ends of the facade; recessed store front has been altered from the original. John Rehfuss Building is a prominent example of 19th century eclectic architecture in downtown La Crosse. One of four large buildings in the 400 block of Main Street, the structure has retained remarkable architectural integrity. The Rehfuss Building is a significant example of 19th century commercial architecture in La Crosse. Not the best example of work by Schick and Stolze, the Rehfuss Building along with the Tillman Brothers Building at 116 South 4th is the best preserved. Built by John Rehfuss, son of Frederick Rehfuss, a prominent German immigrant butcher who settled in La Crosse in 1856. The original Rehfuss building was constructed in 1866 on the present site. In 1894, John Rehfuss moved the butcher shop from this building to 320 South 5th and enlarged the original building to its present form. In its present form, the Rehfuss building has always housed dry goods stores in one form or another until the Jupiter Discount Store recently closed. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Building inscription. (B) Building inscription:pediment. (C) La Crosse City Directory, 1895-1973. (D) La Crosse City Tax Records, 1865-1870. (E) History of La Crosse County (1881) p. 788. (F) La Crosse Weekly Chronicle February 1, 1984. LACROSSE TRIBUNE 7/27/1996. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |