Property Record
906 W EXCHANGE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | GOMBAR HALL; LAUBE HALL |
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| Other Name: | PIERCE TRUE VALUE |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 47742 |
| Location (Address): | 906 W EXCHANGE ST |
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| County: | Green |
| City: | Brodhead |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1868 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1976 |
| Historic Use: | meeting hall |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Exchange Square Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 11/15/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Architecturally significant as an outstanding example of the commercial Italianate style in Green County, Gomber Hall is distinguished by the variety and exuberance of its detail. From cast-iron pillars to a cast-iron cornice, the cream brick facade is enlivened and enriched by Italianate detailing which contributes depth, texture, and a classical mien to the building. A heavy bracketed cast-iron cornice (added sometime after the original date of construction) rests above the original cast-iron cornice and dominates the building. Thin brick pilasters, joined by a brick string course, divide the upper stories into six bays in which are set tall round headed windows surmounted by heavy brick hoods with receding archivolts. Each window is divided horizontally by a panel with relief decoration, above which rests a fan light. The ground floor still retains the original cast-iron posts, rising through the large plate glass windows and the transoms. The most elaborately detailed building on Exchange Square, Laube Hall appropriately served as the town's original opera house, a "spacious and convenient public hall" close to both railroad depot and business center. Built during the construction boom of 1868, the building was first owned by Fred Gombar who gave it to his sons-in-law Charles and Sebastian Laube. Charles located his hardware store on the ground floor while the second floor hall was set up to accommodate traveling shows, musical entertainments, and an audience of 500 people. For many years, according to local history, the hall was "Green County's largest and finest opera house." Since 1900, the Pierce family has run their hardware store at the location. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A0 The City of Brodhead. T.S. Sherwood, 1893, p. 51. (B) Bicentennial Book, 1976, Brodhead Historical Society, p. 34. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |