Property Record
75 S MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Sommerfeld's Interior Furnishing Store |
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| Other Name: | Focus |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 54347 |
| Location (Address): | 75 S MAIN ST |
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| County: | Fond du Lac |
| City: | Fond du Lac |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1880 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1988 |
| Historic Use: | small retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | South Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/11/1993 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 2/8/1993 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | This unusual Classical Revival building features windows that suggest the Gothic Revival style. The two story building is clad in stone veneer and features a heavy classical cornice that is decorated with large modillions and brackets. Under the cornice is a wide frieze made up of stone fret band on top of a fluted belt course over panels carved with swags. The panels are separated by fluted pilasters and sit above a rope molding. A rope molding separates the four windows of the second floor. These windows are single light double hung sashs with compound pointed arched portals and molded archivolts in the Gothic Revival style. The portals extend downward to frame the windows. The storefront has been modernized with a large wooden transom sign, stucco walls, and modern aluminum show windows and entry door. This building is an interesting example of the Classical Revival style of architecture. In the 1880s and 1890s, this building was used as a saloon. In the early 1900s, it was a tailor shop operated by Kaufman and Koehn. During the 1920, 1930, and 1940s, it was Sommerfeld's furniture store. Recently, it has been a photo studio and camera store. This building has some historical interest as a general commercial building because of the historic commercial activity that took place in this building throughout its history. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. City Directories for the City of Fon du Lac, on file at the Fond du Lac Public Library, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |