| 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 Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
A random width covered stone and rubble commercial two story structure with a dressed stone facade and a simple wooden cornice and that has a flat sloping roof. Smooth stone lintels over the window and a full length lintel through the center of the facade characterizes this commercial and residential structure. The rock for the building came from the Aetna quarry ad cost $5,000 to build in 1867. The store front that has classical columns framing the recessed entrance has been little altered over the years. Access to the upper floor is gained through a stairway entrance door to the right of the facade.
This rock building is architecturally important because it is a good representative of 19th century native stone construction, the only example that remains in the commercial interest of Benton. It is one of three stone structures in Benton, and one of two architecturally significant buildings remaining in the commercial district of the village. In addition, it has become a visual landmark for the citizens of the area.
This store is significant to the commercial development of Benton and to the Kearns family who have owned the store for over one hundred years.
James Kearns immigrated to Benton from Ireland by way of St. Louis in 1852, but from 1852 to 1855, he operated a store first in Warren, Illinois and then Kazel Green, Wisconsin. In 1855 he moved back to Benton and bought Captain Domran's store and house. In 1870, Kearns built this rock store and continued his general store there. He was regarded by Benton's citizens as one of the foremost businessmen in the community. He also served as Town Treasurer for several years.
After Jams died in 1891, his sons, Samuel and John P. continued the business. In 1899, John sold out his interest to Samuel who continued the store alone. Samuel also served as Town Treasurer for many years. He died in 1943. Samuel's son Francis carried out the family tradition in the store. It is still owned by the Kearns family, but it has been a restaurant for a number of years.
The town marshall was shot in the alley here while chasing bad guys. The bullet went right through the dilapidated buliding in back. Later made into a stove factory. Also served as a post office.
2024:
The Kearns Grocery Store is an 1867, vernacular, mixed-use building constructed of hammer-dressed course limestone masonry with a rectangular plan and stone foundation. A front-gable roof covered in asphalt shingles replaced an original flat roof with a wood cornice in a c.1985 renovation. Windows are primarily replacement, vinyl, one-over-one units and feature flat stone lintels and sills. A smooth stone header separates the first and second stories on the asymmetrical front (northeast) facade. The storefront includes a recessed commercial entrance flanked by two replacement, metal-clad, fixed windows and vinyl-clad walls. A residential entrance is located on the north end of the facade and includes an original, wood, multi-light transom and wood-panel reveal. The side (southeast) elevation features a secondary entrance. A c.1970, modern, two-story, wood porch with wood spindles atop a c.1970 stone-block addition at the partially exposed basement level encompasses the rear (southwest) elevation.
The Kearns Grocery Store was construct in 1867 by James Kearns, an Irish immigrant who permanently settled in Benton in the 1860s. After his death in 1891, James’s sons John and Samuel operated the business together until John sold his share to Samuel in 1899. Samuel’s son Francis operated the building after Samuel’s death in 1943. |
|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) SHRS.
(B) Interview with Wacker Bainbridge 10/12/82.
(C) Butterfield, History of Lafayette County, 1881, p. 558.
(D) Benton Advocate Sept. 17, 1954.
(E) Darlington Republican Journal Oct. 14, 1909.
2024:
C.W. Butterfield, History of Lafayette County, Wisconsin (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1881).
Stephen Calvert and Peg Roberts, “History of Benton,” accessed October 22, 2024, https://bentonwi.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/historyofbenton.pdf.
“Village of Benton,” The Mining Times, December 19, 1895, Newspapers.com.
Benton Wisconsin History, n.d., n.d., https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=14PuGFkS1BNOl3EjQDxA5yFtgjDYlFGRU&fbclid=IwAR2AN8HGGRmKAJD_9Krl6jnShqUVj3xLUrpXonbKkLYJfNMg3HhgcJTEqVM&ll=42.570209318083975%2C-90.38229676424464&z=19.
|
|---|
