126 S LEONARD ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

126 S LEONARD ST

Architecture and History Inventory
126 S LEONARD ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:Mercereau Building
Other Name:West Salem Pharmacy
Contributing:
Reference Number:72524
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):126 S LEONARD ST
County:La Crosse
City:West Salem
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1911
Additions:
Survey Date:2010
Historic Use:small retail building
Architectural Style:Commercial Vernacular
Structural System:
Wall Material:Brick
Architect:
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name:Not listed
National Register Listing Date:
State Register Listing Date:
NOTES
Additional Information:A 1923 historic photograph in Leonard's Dream shows the building (in its present location) with a prominent nameplate that rises above the cornice and has the name: MERCEREAU. The same book indicates that in the 1880s, B.B. Mercereau offered furniture and an embalming service. Mr. Mercereau was also involved heavily in village affairs as he was one of several men that signed the application to the circuit court for the village's incorporation, and in the first village election was elected a trustee. While Mr. Mercereau's store was established sometime around the 1880s, the 1911 fire that ravaged West Salem's downtown destroyed his first business location, at a total loss. Theoretically, the present building was constructed shortly thereafter.

Previously surveyed in 1992.
Bibliographic References:Kindschy, Errol. Leonard's Dream: A History of West Salem. No publisher information, 1981. Architecture and History Survey. September & October 2010. Prepared by Rachel E. Bankowitz.
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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