Property Record
215 HIGH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | GUNDRY AND GRAY DRY GOODS AND CLOTHING STORE |
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| Other Name: | LK PETERSON REAL ESTATE/ WISCONSIN POWER AND LIGHT |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 59700 |
| Location (Address): | 215 HIGH ST |
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| County: | Iowa |
| City: | Mineral Point |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1871 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19821993 |
| Historic Use: | large retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Sandstone |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Mineral Point Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 7/30/1971 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | DESIGNED IN THE ITALIANATE STYLE, THIS TWO STORY RETAIL BUILDNG WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1871. (SEE BIB. REF. A). IT FEATURES A RECTANGULAR SHAPED PLAN CONFIGURATION, A STONE FOUNDATION, STONE EXTERIOR WALLS, A STONE TRIM AND A HIP ROOF. THE HEAVILY ADORNED CORNICE - COMPLETE WITH BRACKETS, DENTIL TRIM AND MOLDINGS - CROWNS THE FACADE. ROUND-ARCHED, STONE LINTELS CONFORM TO THE SHAPE OF THE WINDOWS ON THE SECOND STORY. THE CORNERS OF THE FACADE ARE DISTINGUISHED BY PROTRUDING QUOINS. A CAST iron "DOG SYMBOL" STANDS UPON A PLATFORM ABOVE THE STOREFRONT. REMODELLING OCCURRED IN THE YEAR 1897, WHEN FOUR TO SIX FEET OF ELEVATIONS WERE MADE TO THE REAR AND SIDE WALLS, AND AN INTERIOR OAK STAIRWAY WAS INSTALLED. (SEE BIB. REF. B). THIS STRUCTURE IS IN GOOD CONDITION. KNOWN HISTORICALLY AS THE GUNDRY AND GRAY DRY GOODS AND CLOTHING STORE, THIS BUILDING HOUSED DRY GOODS FOR RETAIL FROM 1871 TO 1938. (SEE BIB. REF. A). THE BUILDING WAS DESIGNATED LOCALLY, BECOMING PART OF THE MINERAL POINT LANDMARK DISTRICT IN 1972. From "A Field Guide to Mineral Point" by Nancy Pfotenhauer of the Mineral Point Historical Society, 1st Edition, 2012, Little Creek Press: "Built by Carbis & Co. for Gundry & Gray's dry goods store. Gundry, Gray, and Carbis were all originally from Cornwall; James Carbis came to Mineral Point in 1842, John Gray in 1844, and Joseph Gundry first in 1845 returning permanently in 1848. The store was built in conjunction with Pulford's drug store, its neighbor to the west. In 1897, Gundry's building was increased in height and a metal roof was installed. Mineral Point's mascont, the pointer dog, stands in front of this building; ads for Gundry & Gray fequently noted that the store was as the "Sign of the Big Dog." Other businesses here were Wisconsin Power & Light's offices; Korger's; the Inn State Trading Post; Berg's photography studio; Gundry & Gray Deli; and The Gray Dog Deli." From "Mineral Point Tribune", October 5, 1871: "A "Goak." It is reported that Hyman Joseph intends opening a meat market, hoping thereby to entice Gundry & gray's dog across the steet. The beautiful bronze dog standing so quietly in front of Gundry & Gray's is a mastiff. That's our opinion: if you doubt our judgement just watch him until he wags his tail." |
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| Bibliographic References: | “Architecture/History Survey: Reconstruct USH 151: Dodgeville To Belmont.” WHS project number 92-0510IA/LT. October 1993. Prepared by Great Lakes Archaeological Research Center (GLARC). A. "NATIONAL DEMOCRAT," 26 APRIL 1871, 24 MAY 1871, 19 JULY 1871, 4 OCTOBER 1871; "IOWA COUNTY DEMOCRAT," 14 OCTOBER 1897; MINERAL POINT, TAX REOCORDS, 1840-1900; SANBORN MAP, CITY OF MINERAL POINT, WI (NEW YORK: SANBORN MAP CO., 1884-1929); TAYLOR AND WILLITS, MINERAL POINT, IOWA COUNTY [MAP] (CHICAGO: TAYLOR AND WILLITS, 1871). B. "IOWA COUNTY DEMOCRAT," 17 OCTOBER 1897, 2 SEPTEMBER 1897, 30 SEPTEMVER 1897, 14 OCTOBER 1897. Historic Mineral Point Architectural Walking Tour brochure, 2000. Mineral Point Chamber/Main Street & The Mineral Point Historical Society, Historic Mineral Point Architectural Walking Tours, not dated. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |