Property Record
224 S KNOWLES AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | HAGAN OPERA HOUSE |
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| Other Name: | MUDDY CANTINA |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 47553 |
| Location (Address): | 224 S KNOWLES AVE |
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| County: | St. Croix |
| City: | New Richmond |
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| Year Built: | 1900 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19832018 |
| Historic Use: | opera house/concert hall |
| 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 |
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| Additional Information: | John Hagan, an early settler in New Richmond, constructed and operated a non-extant skating rink along South Knowles Avenue in 1884 and operated entertainment venues, stages, and dances in the city during the late nineteenth century. His properties were destroyed in the tornado of 1899. Hagan constructed a large Opera House, located at 224 South Knowles Avenue, in 1900 for use as a theater, dance hall, and concert hall. The brick Commercial Vernacular style building was partly replaced by the Gem Theatre as a venue during the 1920s, and the building was subsequently used a motor sales office and garage and as a drug store during the twentieth century. Brick is the exterior fabric on this one story commercial building. The sign covers decorative brickwork. The parapet roof has a stone top. Mosaic tiles are on the facade above a flat metal awning. The entry is stepped back. Alterations have diminished the integrity of this building to the extent that it has no architectural significance. In 1887 this was the site of a one story frame building with a shingle roof that sold boots and shoes. A 2nd story had been added by 1892. This building was destroyed in the tornado of 1899. It was rebuilt as a one story brick building with a slate roof c.1900-1912. A saloon was here by 1912. In 18923 Matt Lyngaas Jewelry was at this site and it had a large standing clock in front of it (which is now gone). By 1950 Eben Greaton was here. His grandfather OL Greaton came to New Richmond from Maine as a lumberman and later was a milk man (see SC 26-32 & 22 for family homes). Lyngaas had come to New Richmond from Norway in 1905 and bought out Charles Todd's jewelry in 1917. Greaton worked for Lyngass in 1938. Todd had been in New Richmond in 1876. He was from New York City. He was a jeweler and op[tometrist. This building has no significance historically. Its development parallels that of the rest of the business districts. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Letter of Ruth H. Christoferson 1968 at Friday Memorial Library. B. Oral history - Greaton at Friday Memorial Library C. Sanborn maps 1887, 1892, 1900, 1912, 1927. D. Anna Epley A Modern Herculaneum, 1900. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |