502 W 2ND ST (AKA MAIN ST W)

502 W 2ND ST (AKA MAIN ST W)

Ashland

Ashland

1888

1983

library

Romanesque Revival

Brick

No

ENTIRE BLDG RECENTLY RESTOREDHOUSES LIBRARY, ASHLAND CITY MUSEUM AND ASHLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY [Date Cnst:CA] See district site file. Library was moved to ground level in 1936 and the alterations were probably made to the ground level at this time in a simple Art-Deco style. DESCRIPTION: Built ca 1888 and pictured in most historical accounts of Ashland's early growth, the Vaughn Library building once housed Poole's Wholesale and Retail Dry Goods Store on the first floor and the library on the second floor. Built on a massive scale at the corner of Vaughn Avenue and West Second Street, the three-story red brick structure is a lone survivor from the other large brick commercial blocks built in the Romanesque Revival style. The first floor shows some changes including the glass block windows and the Second Street entry. Once threatened with abandonment, the building remains largely unaltered today. Tall and narrow windows were relieving arches on the second and third floors are crowned by the typically massive brick corbel table and cornice that wrap around the finely finished Vaughn Avenue and Secon Street facades. Noteworthy on the Vaughn Avenue side is the arched entry and original cut stone sign for the library. Named after its benefactor and the prominent Ashland citizen, Honorable Samuel S. Vaughn, the library fulfilled the philanthropic desires of Ashland's leaders in the late 1880's when "nothing is more prized and more highly indicative of a progressine and agressive city than a free public library." Reviving its sense of pride, the City of Ashland has begun renovation of the Vaugh Library building for use as the library and the location of the Ashland City Museum. SIGNIFICANCE: This large and very well-preserved 1888 library building is significant as the best preserved example of simple Romanesque Revival style architecture in Ashland and for its association with the Honorable Samuel S. Vaughn. The building has remained a library since it opened and, then as now, is a visual landmark for the City of Ashland. Although the library is designed in a different architectural style than the Vaughn Block (#11), the two are related by their association with the great Ashland benefactor, Samuel Vaughn, and for their excellent design. With renovation scheduled for completion in the fall of 1983, the Vaughn Library will represent with the Old Post Office (#1) the City of Ashland's continuing and well-planned efforts to preserve the City's most significant and beautiful historic buildings. Samuel S. Vaughn was born in Ohio in 1830 and came to LaPointe Wisconsin in 1942 with his brother to work as a fur trader with the Indians. In 1869-70 he served in the Wisconsin Assebly. He was also involved with the Wisconsin Central Railroad (director). He was responsible for many of Ashland's early docks and warehouses. In 1871 he laid out Vaughn's Division. See also Vaughn Block ISF 36-33. The 1983 renovation resulted in the blocking in of exterior windows and the addition of stairs. As of 1998, there were no plans to rehabilitate or relocate the library.

[A] ASHLAND SALUTES 100 YEARS OF PROGRESS [B] December 1998 phone conversation with library employee. Jim Trojanowski, Director. Eckert, Kathryn. Sandstone Buildings in the Lake Superior Region. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2000.

West Second Street Historic District

Feb 02, 1984

Jan 01, 1989

Yes