141 W WATER ST

141 W WATER ST

Lafayette

Shullsburg

1903

1982

small retail building

Commercial Vernacular

Stone - Unspecified

No

A coursed cut stone structure that has a flat sloping roof. A simple bracketed metal cornice decorates the facade. In the recessed area of the facade, which is accented by a cornice of cut-brick work, corbelled cornices serve as window heads. Corbelled corniced window heads also accent the stone side wall. Cast iron columns define the recessed entrance and a cornice with small gabled accents at the ends separate the store front from the upper part of the building facade. A second story frame porch is at the rear. In recent times, the store front has been filled in. The architectural significance of this building lies in its importance as one of four substantial buildings in the streetscape on the North side of the 100 block of Water Street. In addition, the building is a turn of the century representative of the stone construction important in the commercial district of Shullsburg. Frank Gerlach's Saloon is a significant structure to Shullsburg's post 19th century commercial development. Gerlach and Blatz Saloon and Billiard Room, established in the late 19th century were destroyed by fire Christmas Eve, 1902. The fire started in a cigar factory nearby. In the spring of 1903 Frank Gerlach had this stone building erected. By the summer of 1903, the saloon was open again. The tavern has been managed by various owners. It has lately served as Richard Rupnow's Law Office.

(A) Seq. History of Shullsburg, 1827-1977 (Shullsburg, WI: Badger Historical Society, 1977), p. 61. (B) Sanborn-Perris Maps, 1900, 1908. (C) Pick and Gad, 3/5/1903; 4/9/1903; 6/11/1903. (D) Benton Advocate, 1/1/1903.

Water Street Commercial Historic District

Jun 28, 1990

Jan 23, 1990

Yes