Property Record
125 W MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
Historic Name: | T. Overson Building |
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Other Name: | The Garment Shop |
Contributing: | |
Reference Number: | 109173 |
Location (Address): | 125 W MAIN ST |
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County: | Dane |
City: | Cambridge |
Township/Village: | |
Unincorporated Community: | |
Town: | |
Range: | |
Direction: | |
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Quarter Section: | |
Quarter/Quarter Section: |
Year Built: | 1880 |
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Additions: | |
Survey Date: | 1999 |
Historic Use: | retail building |
Architectural Style: | Boomtown |
Structural System: | |
Wall Material: | Brick |
Architect: | |
Other Buildings On Site: | |
Demolished?: | No |
Demolished Date: |
National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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National Register Listing Date: | |
State Register Listing Date: |
Additional Information: | Decorative corbelling appears below the stepped parapet. As of 1983, the storefront was made of Cararra glass. The upstairs once possessed a meeting hall. In 1898, T. Overson rented the first floor to Helbick O. Texley and Casper Bagely, who operated a hardware store. By 1920, the Melster Candy Company utilized the building's basement as a candy kitchen. Brothers Arthur and Harvey Melster developed wholesale markets in Milwaukee and Chicago, while their father Gustav was president of the company. They expanded their product line by acquiring the Madison Candy Company in 1957 and Webster Candy in 1963. Melster Candy Co was purchased by CFS Continental in 1976, though the Melster name is stilled used to this day. After WWII, the building functioned as a grocery store, and in the 1950s as a clothing store owned by Harlen Kampstad. |
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Bibliographic References: | Historic name taken from insurance document. Circa construction date based upon field observation. Architecture/History Survey. September 1999. Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. |
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |