Property Record
21 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | THE GRANGE STORE BUILDING |
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| Other Name: | THE NIGHT OWL TAVERN |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 46943 |
| Location (Address): | 21 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Rock |
| City: | Evansville |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
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| Year Built: | 1876 |
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| Additions: | 1886 |
| Survey Date: | 2006 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Boomtown |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Aluminum/Vinyl Siding |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Evansville Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 11/16/1978 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. THIS BUILDING WAS THE FIRST HOME FOR THE GRANGE STORE. THOMAS C. RICHARDSON WAS HIRED AS MANAGER/AGENT FOR THE STORE IN 1876, AND DIRECTED THE BUSINESS THROUGH ITS MOST PROSPEROUS YEARS. THE GRANGE STORE LAT ER MOVED INTO THE DEPARTMENT STORE ON WEST MAIN STREET IN 1904. "This 30 by 280 foot, two-story wood frame commercial building was the first home for The Grange Store. Thomas C. Richardson was hired as manager/agent for the store in 1876, and directed the business through its most prosperous years. The Grange Store later moved into the state-of-the-art department store on West Main Street in 1904. The projection's false front was a very simple and popular ornamental design that is seen in many 19th Century commercial buildings, and gives rise to the "Boomtown" name for the style. The cornice brackets and ornamented lintels show Italianate influence." Evansville Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Evansville Walking Tour brochure, 2014. |
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| Bibliographic References: | MONTGOMERY, RUTH ANN. GLIMPSES OF THE GROVE. EVANSVILLE: 1989, PP. 72-73. ADDRESS FILES. LEONARD P. EAGER LOCAL HISTORY ROOM, EAGER FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. Evansville Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Evansville Walking Tour brochure, 2014. Evansville Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Evansville: A Walker's Guide, 2002. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |