Property Record
551 E GRAND AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Dairy Queen |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Dairy Queen |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 76431 |
| Location (Address): | 551 E GRAND AVE |
|---|---|
| County: | Wood |
| City: | Wisconsin Rapids |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1954 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19952015 |
| Historic Use: | restaurant |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | Masonry |
| Wall Material: | Concrete Block |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| 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. 2015-This Dairy Queen is a one-story commercial vernacular building of concrete block construction with a flat roof and wide overhanging eaves. A neon sign with the words “DAIRY QUEEN” is situated on the roof. A large fixed plate-glass window centered on the front (south) facade is flanked by two customer service bays with sliding windows. Other windows include large fixed plate-glass, single-pane, and horizontal-divided fixed. Window openings on both of the side elevations have been enclosed. 2017- "The Dairy Queen is located at 551 E. Grand Avenue in Wisconsin Rapids. It occupies the east half of the block located between Lincoln Street and 61th Street S. The building is located near the west edge of the parcel, which is demarcated by a concrete curb that extends along the lot line. A large parking area occupies the eastern portion of the parcel, with entrances located on 61th Street S. and E. Grand Avenue. A c.1965 freestanding Dairy Queen sign is located at the southeast corner of the parking lot and a modern wood privacy fence extends along the rear (north) lot line. The building is located approximately 5 feet behind the back edge of sidewalk, and this area is also paved in concrete, providing access to the walk-up service windows on the front of the building. Modern metal benches are located on either side of the building, providing exterior seating for patrons. A non-permanent corrugated metal shed is located at the northwest corner of the property. The Dairy Queen, built in 1954, is a rectangular, one-story building resting on a concrete slab foundation. Constructed of concrete block, it features a flat roof with a wide canopy that overhangs the entire building; HVAC and mechanical equipment are centrally located on the roof. The original neon signage, with the words "Dairy Queen" and an ice cream cone with a curly swirl, is centrally located on the front (south) facade and projects from the roof. The exterior colors of blue and white with a red stripe and roof are consistent with the company's 1950s color scheme. The flat roof, wide canopy, window arrangement, color scheme, and signage reflect the early period of Dairy Queen building design. The building's front facade is dominated by large, aluminum, fixed, plate glass windows at the corners; a large, central, fixed, single-pane display window; and two walk-up service windows. The corner display windows wrap around to both side elevations. The service windows are comprised of one-over-one units set above a two-part window with a center hinge that folds open. The service windows are original; however, the plate glass windows have been replaced over the years due to damage. The roof canopy overhangs approximately 4 feet to shield customers at the windows. The building's east (side) elevation features two single-pane, fixed, aluminum windows that wraparound from the front facade and an off-center rectangular awning window. A small vertical vent is located adjacent to the window. The building's west (side) elevation is nearly identical and features two singlepane, fixed, aluminum windows that wrap around from the front facade and an off-center rectangular awning window. A second awning window has been boarded over. The rear (north) elevation includes an off-center entrance with a modern screen door. A narrow vinyl fence panel projects from the wall to the west of the entrance. A rectangular window opening located to the east of the entrance is covered with a metal screen. A large, freestanding, modern freezer is located west of the entrance. Interior The interior of the Dairy Queen features exposed concrete block walls, a tile ceiling with fluorescent lighting, and linoleum flooring. It is divided in half by an interior wall, with a door between the front and rear sections. The front section includes the service windows and food preparation space. The rear section includes several freestanding freezers, a walk-in freezer, and a restroom with a toilet, sink, and shower (although the shower was used by the original owner, who occupied the space, it is currently used for storage). Cabinets have been installed for more storage space along the west exterior wall. Integrity The Dairy Queen retains a high degree of integrity. Exterior alterations are limited to the in-kind replacement of plate glass windows and a single covered awning window. The building retains the original cladding, service windows, and neon sign, as well as its interior configuration." -"Dairy Queen", WisDOT#6999-07-19, Prepared by Mead & Hunt, Inc. (Sebastian Renfield), (2017). |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |