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) | 213 N CENTRAL AVE |
|---|---|
| County | Richland |
| City/Village | Richland Center |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1935 |
|---|---|
| Additions | 1937 |
| Survey Date | 1987 |
| Historic Use | post office |
| Architectural Style | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | Louis Simon |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments | 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. Originally occupied 6/1936. Mural was painted in 1937. Architectural Description: Designed by Loius Simon in the classically derived Georgian Revival style in 1935, this red brick, tile roofed, one-story post office exhibits rather plain brick surfaces ornamented in a restrained manner by brick quoins, brick lintels with simply articulated stone keystones over plain rectangular windows, dentil trim under the slightly overhanging hip roof and a classical wooden frontspiece composed of a broken pediment and plain frieze rising on applied pilasters (AC). The red brick building is divided horizontally by a brick belt course above the windows defining a visual frieze area that is decorated with white stone, flat rectangular pediment-shaped ornaments, and by a white stone belt course separating the upper facade from the elevated foundation. A flight of brick and concrete stories lead to the elevated entrance door that is topped by a transom window. Built for $50,000 by the Mass Construction Company of Watertown under the local supervision of G.L. Cadenhead, a government engineer, the Richland Center Post Office's interior originally featured red and brown tiled wainscotting and quarry tiled floors in the lobby, built-in entrance cage and writing desks, maple floors, and pine wainscotting in the work areas and two skylights (CD). Located in numerous rented quarters from the time it was established in Richland Center, the United States Post Office was housed in this building specifically designed for its purposes in 1936 (CD). With the aid of a federal grant, the Richland Post Office was built in 1935 on the site of the old Miner property. Architectural/Engineering Significance: The United States Post Office at Richland Center is architecturally significant under Criterion C as an example of Georgian Revival influenced architecture. The only example of Georgian Revival architecture in the commercial district, the United States Post Office exhibits symmetrical formal arrangement enriched with classical detail such as quoins, frontspiece, belt courses, and dentil trim in a restrained Georgian Revival interpretation typical of the late historic era. This building is significant also as a representative of civic architecture as the only post office building ever constructed in the City of Richland Center. Designed as a post office building by Louis Simon in 1935, this building was occupied by the U.S. Postal Department in January of 1936 after occupying many rented quarters through the years (AC). Historical Background: Until the erection of a separate building in 1935, the Richland Center Post Office was placed in a common location in association with private businesses. The city received a federal grant of $150,000 along with twenty other cities in 1934 to construct a separate post office building. In 1936, the post office moved from the north end of the First National Bank Building (108 East Court; RI15-13) to the new building. The post office remains in this building (1). Historical Significance: The post office gains local historical significance under Criterion A as a representation of the Local Government Topic of the Government Theme. Although a federal arm of the government, the post office serves the City of Richland Center. The construction of the post office reflects the broadening of local government services during the New Deal era. The post office possesses significance from the date of construction, in 1935 to the beginning of the modern era in 1938. |
| Bibliographic References | 1. Local History Room, Brewer Library (Richland Center: Mss. 295); Democrat February, 1936; Margaret Scott, Richland Center: A History (Richland Center: Richland County Publishers, 1972), pp. 176, 221. A. Cornerstone: "1935; Supervising Architect Louis Simon, Supervising Engineer Neal Melick". B. Richland (WI) Democrat, 16 January 1935. C. Ibid, 5 February 1936. D. Margaret Scott, Richland Center, Wisconsin, A History (Richland Center: Richland County Publishing, 1972), p. 221. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Court Street Commercial Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Nov 13, 1989 |
| State Register Listing Date | Jan 01, 1989 |
| Contributing | Yes |
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.
National or State Regi...
430 East Second St.
00001258
Located in Merrill, Lincoln County
Go to top
