Property Record
104-108 3RD ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Mills Block |
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| Other Name: | The Boutique and Perfume Shop; Ruth Welch Shop |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 88425 |
| Location (Address): | 104-108 3RD ST |
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| County: | Sauk |
| City: | Baraboo |
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| Year Built: | 1881 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19892014 |
| Historic Use: | large retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Chas. de. F. Stickney |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Downtown Baraboo Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/8/2015 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 8/15/2014 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | B.F. Mills constructed a double-block brick building in 1881. The somewhat unusual design was produced by the architect Charles De F. Stickney, the son-in-law of Mills, cost $5,000 to build and prompted the Baraboo Republic to describe it as: “novel structure not of the ordinary pattern.” The original storefront façade consisted of eight square cast iron columns, two of which are presently still in place, and large plate glass windows. Rounded windows have brick surrounds and keystones. The second floor façade is made up of elaborate brick work and three bay sections capped with a triangular pediment that echoes the first floor cornice. The original recessed entries and glass block have been removed. The Mills Block consists of two 24 by 50 foot stores. The western half the Mills Block, located at 104 3rd Street, was initially occupied by Tobler’s Saloon for a few years before the saloon relocated to 138 3rd Street. The storefront was then occupied by Aton’s Sewing Machine business. In 1928, W.T. Marriott and H. Halstead purchased the Mills Block. The building was remodeled at occupied through the 1930s by Prine’s Variety Store, which likely operated at both the 104 and 108 store addresses. In 1942, Beck’s Home Town Bakery operated at 104 3rd Street. In 1972, 104 3rd Street became part of the Corner Drug Store, which occupied the adjacent store. In 1881, H.P. Jones Clothing Store occupied the storefront at 108 3rd Street and in 1888 the business went bankrupt, disposing of nearly $22,000 worth of clothing. The store was purchased and operated by Alec Erickson as a tailor until 1895. In 1896, Armbruster and Allen opened their Model Clothing House. John S. Griggs, who operated an adjacent clothing store at 110 3rd Street, leased the property in 1916 to expand his store. In 1930, Prine’s Variety Store operated at both 104 and 108 3rd Street in the Mills Block. |
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| Bibliographic References: | The Baraboo Republic. October 10, 1881. City of Baraboo Directory records on file with the Sauk County Historical Society. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1885, 1892, 1898, 1904, 1913, and 1927. On file at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Ward, Joseph Wayne. Baraboo, 1850-2010, Vols. III-IV: Chronology of the Growth of the Commercial & Retail Districts. Self-published, 2013. Wolter, Paul. ‘Downtown Pharmacies,’ presentation notes. Wolter, Paul. Notes collected for tours of Downtown Baraboo. Multiple dates. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |