Property Record
208 W WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | McNulty Brothers General Store and Exchange |
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| Other Name: | Shullsburg Creamery |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 80764 |
| Location (Address): | 208 W WATER ST |
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| County: | Lafayette |
| City: | Shullsburg |
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| Year Built: | 1866 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1982 |
| Historic Use: | general store |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Water Street Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/28/1990 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/23/1990 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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. A three-bay, three story stone structure of a long rectangular shape that has a flat sloping roof; simple flat stone lintels and sills mark the window openings. Cast iron columns of a twisted design frame the recessed entrance. The denticulated and cut-brick design of the cornice is identical to the cornice style found on the Pick and Gad building at 128 W. Water and the small building at 214-216 W. Water. The early stone construction of this large structure makes this building architecturally significant to the development of the Shullsburg commercial district. In addition, the building has been a visual landmark on Water Street since the mid-19th century. This is one of the most significant buildings in the district. The Shullsburg Creamery building is historically significant to the commercial development of Shullsburg since its early settlement phase. The building is one of the oldest buildings in the commercial district of Shullsburg. The Water Street commercial district began to be developed in the 1840s. As the lead miners rushed in Shullsburg was laid out and platted in 1844, but there were stores on Main and Water Streets prior to that. Two brothers, John and Thomas McNulty conducted a large wholesale and retail business in the late 1840s in this store. The McNulty's were attracted to the lead mines in the 1840s and settled in Shullsburg. The McNulty's diggings were west of the commercial district. Their mines connected with the elevator diggings and several others that ran south and west inside the Shullsburg City Limits. The Pick and Gad reported in 1859 that the bell for the Methodist Church was delivered to McNulty's Store. Besides operating a large wholesale and retail business, there was also a sort of exchange business conducted in the store. Farmers and miners could exchange items with the McNulty's or other patrons. Jim Brewster also was associated with the McNulty's Store, It later became the J.M. Brewster General Store. Brewster married John McNulty's daughter in 1842. The tax records of Shullsburg reveal that McNulty and Brewster were associated in business together. Brewster advertised that he had been in business since 1847. Whether he was in business in this building at that time, it is not clear, but he paid the taxes in 1857. Brewster carried on a business worth $40,000 per year. By 1884 Brester advertised as having a dry goods and grocery store. He also ran a creamery in the rear. The long stone structure in the rear is where he collected milk from are farmers and made butter. Brewster's son Charles was also involved in the business as J.M. and C.O. Brewster Company. Between 1903 and 1907, John Hebenstreit bought the business and called it the Big Store. He continued the creamery business. The front was dry goods, groceries, notions and shoes. He also had a men's clothing store in the west half of the bank building adjacent. The buildings were connected by an interior door. Anton Pederson bought the store in 1936. He converted it into a creamery and retail store. He discontinued the butter business and devoted the business entirely to making cheese. Art Stocker bought out Pederson and today runs a considerable cheese business, selling retail and mail order. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Seq. History of Shullsburg, 1827-1977 (Shullsburg, WI: Badger Historical Society, 1977), p. 67-68. (B) Shullsburg Plat Map, 1874. (C) Wisconsin State Gazetteer, 1886, p. 841. (D) Pick and Gad Newspaper, 1859; 1884-1886. (E) Shullsburg tax Assessor Record Book, 1848-1859. (F) C.W. Butterfield, History of Lafayette County, 1881, p. 571 (on back), 735. Cuba City Tri County Press 4/10/1997. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |