We're in the process of updating our website! Learn more about what that means and how you can help create history..
click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 107 E MULLETT ST |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia |
| City/Village | Portage |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1881 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 1992 |
| Historic Use | industrial bldg/manufacturing facility |
| Architectural Style | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
| Structural System | Brick |
| Wall Material | Cream Brick |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
#650: Portage Woolen Mills. Segmental arch, 6/6 light windows; building placed in a cluster of associated mill buildings. Construction of the original mill building began in 1881. The hosiery company occupied the 50 by 80 foot, two and a half story brick building sometime in 1881-1882 (Columbia County Treasurer 1863- [1880-92]). The building stands in the center of the complex along the canal between the 1936 tile addition and the 1903-04 extension to the mill to the northeast. The shed roof, one story additions along its west elevation represent the wash house erected in 1924 which stands east of the dye house constructed in 1903-04 and the concrete, steam-dry house erected in ca. 1918. Portage businessmen established two woolen mills one of which became one of the city's major industries. Robert B. Wentworth, W.S. Wentworth, and Loomis, Gallett, and Breese first promoted and organized the Portage Hosiery Company under a partnership in 1878. The company located in the Pettibone Block at the southwest corner of DeWitt and Cook until the 1880 fire. While the company moved to temporary quarters, construction of the mill began at 107 E. Mullett (48/19). The hosiery company occupied by 50 by 80 foot, two and a half story brick building in 1881-1882 (Columbia County Treasurer 1863- [1880-82]). By 1889, the complex also included a separate engine room, a warehouse and office, and a dye house which no longer stand. Manufacturing its own yarns, the mill first produced heavy wool socks for lumbermen as well as leggings and mittens. The business partners incorporated the Portage Hosiery Company in 1893. R.B. Wentworth remained president of the company from its incorporation until Llewellyn Breese, who acted as its previous manager, replaced him in 1913. Succeeded by his son William L. Breese, Ll. Breese retired in 1931. By 1897, the company employed 110 workers. The Portage Hosiery Company also operated several branch factories. In 1910, it established one branch in Madison which operated at least into the 1930s. Opened at an unknown date, the Mauston branch probably closed in 1931. By 1933, the Portage plant employed 2122 workers, double the employees number working in 1897. Despite previous attempts to organize a labor union, employees were not permitted to join the American Federation of Hosiery Workers until 1941 (Zunker 1951). The mill's physical plant gradually expanded in the 1890s and twentieth century as its volume of production steadily rose. The company added the office building (48/15) in 1891. In 1903-1904, the factory building was extended to the east by a three story, brick addition which was originally devoted to spinning (48/18). The current one story powerhouse (48/17) at the east end of the complex was completed about 1903. The company erected the warehouse in 1918 (48/13), and placed a wash house at the rear of the complex in 1924 (see 48/19). It stood east of the dye house constructed in 1903-04 and the concrete, steam-dry house erected in ca. 1918 (see 48/19). In 1936, the company placed a new, two story and basement, 118 foot by 60 foot, tile building (48-14) between the office building and mill. A stair tower connected the wing to the office building, and the wing provided a new entrance into the factory complex. Livermore and Samuelson served as the architects while C.H. Findorff of Madison became the contractor (Register-Democrat 1936 [7/25: 1/4). The building housed the knitting machines. Finally, in 1952, the company added a two story and basement 40 by 83.7 foot addition (48/11( at the southwest end of the complex. The concrete block building with flat roof was opened by steel frame windows (Sanborn Perris Map Company 1885; 1889; 1894; 1901; 1910; 1918; 1929; Columbia County Treasurer 1863- [1890-1930]). |
| Bibliographic References |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Portage Industrial Waterfront Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Mar 17, 1995 |
| State Register Listing Date | Oct 25, 1994 |
| Contributing | Yes |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Contact Us
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
Go to top
