Property Record
522-530 N MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | RAULF HOTEL |
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| Other Name: | PLAZA MOTOR INN |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 62805 |
| Location (Address): | 522-530 N MAIN ST |
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| County: | Winnebago |
| City: | Oshkosh |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1927 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19782006 |
| Historic Use: | hotel/motel |
| Architectural Style: | Art Deco |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Charles J. Keller & Son |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | North Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/7/1996 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 8/4/1995 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. This multi-story brick structure was originally a hotel and is now being adapted for elderly housing. Terra Cotta panels provide vertical accents. These in conjunction with an arcade above the first floor level introduce a moorish note. The terra cotta panels also repeat the arcade theme at the cornice and terminate in thin spires. Opened May 1928 as Hotel Raulf. The Raulf Hotel is architecturally significant as an example of the "exotic" styles employed during the 1920's. In this instance, style is suggested solely by the terra cotta arcade applied to the facade. In reality the eight stories which rise above the t wo story base (faced with stone) are fairly plain with simple tapestry brick panels occuring in the spandrl area between windows. The terra cotta work appears elegant and delicate in contrast. IN addition to the unusual style (the majority of Main Street consists of Italianate buildings), the scale and vertical emphasis of the structure dominated this portion of Main Street and makes it a visual landmark. "The Strand Theatre, the City's leading movie palace, opened in 1928 as part of the Raulf Hotel complex. After closing in 1981, the theater space was converted to housing units as part of a complete rehabilitation of the hotel. This building features glazed terra cotta tracery and Jacobean and Tudor elements." (C) |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Oshkosh Daily Northwestern May 26, 1928. (B) Oshkosh Daily Northwestern Sept. 7, 1977. “Architecture/History Survey: Replace N. Main St./USH 45 Bridge Over The Fox River In Oshkosh.” WHS project number 07-0894/WN. November 2006. Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. "Hotel-theater Building To Be Among Finest in Entire Midwest," The Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, 23 November 1927, page 14. Article cites the architectural firm as C. J. Keller & Son, specifically cited Clarence Keller as responsible for the design. (C) "North Main Street Historic District Walking Tour" Prepared by the City of Oshkosh Planning Services Division for the Landmarks Commission. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |