Property Record
105-109 S KNOWLES AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | HOTEL RICHMOND |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 51380 |
| Location (Address): | 105-109 S KNOWLES AVE |
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| County: | St. Croix |
| City: | New Richmond |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
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| Year Built: | 1913 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19832018 |
| Historic Use: | hotel/motel |
| 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: | In the nineteenth century, a series of large non-extant boarding houses occupied the site at the southwest corner West First Street and South Knowles Avenue in the center of the city. The last one was destroyed by the tornado, and the space sat empty for a number of years. In 1913, Colonel Edward O’Malley constructed a large three-story hotel. The Hotel Richmond, located at 105 South Knowles Avenue, contained 36 rooms, a lobby, writing rooms, parlors, a dining room, and kitchen. The New Richmond Post Office was located on the first floor of the Hotel from 1921 to 1961. The hotel building was later known as the New Richmond Apartments as a rental property. Description: This 3 story commercial building has a flat roof and brick and wood exterior fabric. The second story is similar to that above Larson's Hardware (SC 25/5). There are apartments on the second story. The same upper story brickwork in a rectangular pattern is here. The first story is stained wood and has stepped back entries. Alterations have destroyed much of the integrity of this building to the point where it has no architectural significance. Historical Background: This was the site of the Goodrich Hotel in the 1870s. In 1887, most of this site was a 2 story frame billiards establishment. The roof was shingled. The south part of the site was part of the Hotel Nicolett. This was also a 2 story frame building with a shingled roof. The hotel had a kitchen and diningroom (1 1/2 stories). By 1892 only the hotel was here. Part of the site was occupied by a bank (probably Manufacturers' Bank - see SC 24/32). It was three stories with brick veneer. An 1893 photo shows 2/2 windows on all three floors of the east side of the hotel. There are also three balconies (about one door or window width) with large side braces of brackets on the bottom of the balconies' roofs. There is a cornice. Charles D. McKinnon was the proprietor c. 1895. The hotel was advertised as the "Only First-Class Hotel in the City - $2 per day." The building was destroyed in the 1899 tornado. McKinnon's wife and daughter were killed and he left the area shortly after this. The present building was built 1912-13. It was planned as a three story hotel, which it was for a time. Now the upper stories are apartments (New Richmond Apartments at one time - see also SC 25/5) and the first story is commercial. In 1906, A.R. Kebbe had a plan for the city to buy the Nicolett Hotel site and offer it as a bonus to a hotel man to buid there. The idea was to raise money by subscription and buy the property from a Miss North of Hudson. It listed for $2000. A $12-15,000 hotel was thought ideal. Kibbe was to present it at the next city meeting. No mention of it was made in the newspaper report of the meeting. In May 1913, the Hotel Richmond opened with Col. Ed O'Malley as proprietor Around 1927, the post office was in the south part of this site. From 1932 until c. 1970, W.W. Irle had his dental office in 107 South Knowles. Swenby's (see SC 34/28) was at 109 South Knowles at one point. The development of this site and building is similar to the rest of the New Richmond business district and has no outstanding historical signficance. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. W.W. Irle's oral history at Friday Memorial Library B. Sanborn maps 1887, 1892, 1900, 1912, 1927 C. Anna Epley, A Modern Herculanum, 1900 D. Wisconsin State Gazetteer, 1895-6 |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |