Property Record
138-144 S KNOWLES AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | FIRST NATIONAL COMMUNITY BANK |
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| Other Name: | FIRST NATIONAL COMMUNITY BANK |
| Contributing: | No |
| Reference Number: | 47475 |
| Location (Address): | 138-144 S KNOWLES AVE |
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| County: | St. Croix |
| City: | New Richmond |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1964 |
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| Additions: | 1988 2013 |
| Survey Date: | 19832018 |
| Historic Use: | bank/financial institution |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | New Richmond Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 12/22/2022 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 5/20/2022 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | The First National Bank was established in 1919 and located on the first floor of the existing Masonic lodge building, located at 138 South Knowles Avenue, which had previously been constructed in 1900. In 1924, the bank moved across the street to the building on the southeast corner of South Knowles Avenue and East Second Street. Located at 204 South Knowles Avenue, the bank was remodeled in the 1930s and again in the 1950s and also contained the offices of the St. Croix Leader newspaper. In 1964, the bank returned to the location at the corner of South Knowles Avenue and East Second Street, where the Masonic Lodge was still located, and the New Richmond City Hall had recently vacated. For more information on the New Richmond City Hall, refer to the Government Chapter. The bank building was significantly remodeled in 1964. In 1988, the bank building was extensively remodeled with large additions at a cost of 1.35 million dollars and renamed the First National Community Bank. All 3 Commercial buildings have flat roof and are one story with rear additions. The Downtown Club and Insurance Agency have plate glass and brick facades with stepped back entries. The Hideaway Bar has concrete stucco exterior fabric. Alterations have destroyed the original integrity of these shops to the point where it has no architectural significance. This site was occupied by a 2 story billards room with frame construction and shingle roof in 1887, part of the Commercial Hotel was on this site (south). By 1892 a one story brick veneer building was being built with a slate roof on the north part of this site. While the south part was a 1 story brick veneer barber shop with slate roof. The 1899 cyclone destroyed these shops and in 1900 a 1 story brick building with slate roof was here. It was partitioned slate roof was here. It was partitioned for 3 shops. At this time a confectioneers shop was in the North (138 S. Knowles), a photo shop in the middle (140 S. Knowles) and a MIllinery Store in the South (144 S. Knowles). In 1912 these were respectively a tailor, photography shop and a tailor. There is no historical importance attached to this building. Its development parallels the rest of the city's business district. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |