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)
122-128 E LAKE ST
County
Jefferson
City/Village
Lake Mills
Township
Unincorporated community
Town
Range
Direction
Section
Quarter Section
Quarter Quarter Section
Property Features
Year Built
1893
Additions
Survey Date
1974,2014,2018
Historic Use
Architectural Style
Structural System
Wall Material
Cream Brick
Architect
Van Ryn & Lesser
Other Buildings On Site
Demolished
No
Demolished Date
Additional Comments
A 'site file' titled Lake Mills Downtown Commercial Historic District 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History.
This two-story commercial building was constructed by the Fargo family in 1893. Joseph Spangler of the City of Jefferson served as the builder and masonry contractor. It is clad in a combination of brick and cut-stone veneer. It has a flat roof with overhanging eaves supported by decorative brackets and an entablature with a repetitive garland motif and scrollwork below. The storefront of the front (north) facade was altered c.1995. The fenestration and entryways were altered and a stone veneer, rounded arch surrounds, and pilasters were added. Entryways consist of modern plate glass with fixed sidelights and transoms, and groups of three fixed-pane plate glass storefront windows. A wood stringcourse with a modern sign and a simple belt course supported by decorative brackets spans the length of the front facade separates the first- and second-story storefronts. The second-story facade features two bay windows with replacement, one-over-one, double-hung sash arched lintels with simple cornice detail, and rounded arch and geometric details above. The remaining second-story windows are replacement one-over-one, double-hung sash with stone sills and arched lintels. Three panels located above the windows with decorative scrollwork read “18” “Fargo Block” “93.”
Based on an August 2014 site visit, the interior of the building has been altered and confirms the changes discussed in the c.1995 Lake Mills Leader article by Dr. Roland Liebenow. The article stated the interior was substantially remodeled in 1980 and again sometime in the 1990s.
The Fargo Block housed the Fargo Bank along with two other commercial businesses on the first floor and approximately 10 office suites on the second floor. Fargo Bank opened for business in 1894 and provided residents with an alternative to Greenwood’s State Bank. The bank remained in operation until 1978 when a new bank was constructed on Madison Street.
Based on research and a site visit, the exterior and interior of the building have experienced significant alterations. In 1913 the bank removed the wall on the east side of the bank to create additional customer service space. After a bank robbery in 1935, the teller area was remodeled. The interior space was remodeled once again in 1965 to accommodate the law offices of Ferry and Neupert. Fargo Bank moved out in 1978. Two years later, the law offices were remodeled, the old vault door was removed, and a wall was constructed to separate the former bank building from the business space to the east. At some point during the late 1980s and 1990s the entire second floor of the Fargo Building was rebuilt. The stairs were replaced with an elevator and the second-story office space was reconfigured.
1974- SHALLOW ORIELS SURMOUNTED BY CLASSICAL BALUSTRADES5 ROUND ARCHED WINDOWS BETWEENORIELS EGYPTIAN LOOKING ENTRY
This two-story commercial building was constructed by the Fargo family in 1893. Joseph Spangler of the City of Jefferson served as the builder and masonry contractor. It is clad in a combination of brick and cut-stone veneer. It has a flat roof with overhanging eaves supported by decorative brackets and an entablature with a repetitive garland motif and scrollwork below. The storefront of the front (north) facade was altered c.1995. The fenestration and entryways were altered and a stone veneer, rounded arch surrounds, and pilasters were added. Entryways consist of modern plate glass with fixed sidelights and transoms, and groups of three fixed-pane plate glass storefront windows. A wood stringcourse with a modern sign and a simple belt course supported by decorative brackets spans the length of the front facade separates the first- and second-story storefronts. The second-story facade features two bay windows with replacement, one-over-one, double-hung sash arched lintels with simple cornice detail, and rounded arch and geometric details above. The remaining second-story windows are replacement one-over-one, double-hung sash with stone sills and arched lintels. Three panels located above the windows with decorative scrollwork read “18” “Fargo Block” “93.”
Based on an August 2014 site visit, the interior of the building has been altered and confirms the changes discussed in the c.1995 Lake Mills Leader article by Dr. Roland Liebenow. The article stated the interior was substantially remodeled in 1980 and again sometime in the 1990s.
The Fargo Block housed the Fargo Bank along with two other commercial businesses on the first floor and approximately 10 office suites on the second floor. Fargo Bank opened for business in 1894 and provided residents with an alternative to Greenwood’s State Bank. The bank remained in operation until 1978 when a new bank was constructed on Madison Street.
Based on research and a site visit, the exterior and interior of the building have experienced significant alterations. In 1913 the bank removed the wall on the east side of the bank to create additional customer service space. After a bank robbery in 1935, the teller area was remodeled. The interior space was remodeled once again in 1965 to accommodate the law offices of Ferry and Neupert. Fargo Bank moved out in 1978. Two years later, the law offices were remodeled, the old vault door was removed, and a wall was constructed to separate the former bank building from the business space to the east. At some point during the late 1980s and 1990s the entire second floor of the Fargo Building was rebuilt. The stairs were replaced with an elevator and the second-story office space was reconfigured.
1974- SHALLOW ORIELS SURMOUNTED BY CLASSICAL BALUSTRADES5 ROUND ARCHED WINDOWS BETWEENORIELS EGYPTIAN LOOKING ENTRY
Bibliographic References
Date plate on the second-story front (north) facade.
Liebenow, “Fargo Block Gets a New Face,” Lake Mills Leader, article obtained from law office, August 2014.
Lake Mills Leader: April 6, 1893, p. 3; June 8, 1893, p. 3; October 12, 1893, p. 3; January 4, 1894, p. 3; October 23, 1913, p. 1..
Roland R. Liebenow. People, Their Places, and Things: 50 More Tales From Lake Mills. Lake Mills, 2010, pp. 45-49 (illustrated).
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
National/State Register Listing Name
Lake Mills Downtown Commercial Historic District
National Register Listing Date
Apr 05, 2019
State Register Listing Date
Nov 30, 2018
Contributing
Yes
Unique ID
HI6948
HI6948
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
