Property Record
615 S Marquette ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | J.I. Case Plow Works Company |
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| Other Name: | J.I. Case Factory; Massey-Harris Co |
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| Reference Number: | 11353 |
| Location (Address): | 615 S Marquette ST |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
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| Year Built: | 1876 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | industrial bldg/manufacturing facility |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
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| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
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| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 1989 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' (Case, J.I., Company Historic District) 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, Division of Historic Preservation. A National Register Questionnaire was completed for the property at 615 S. Marquette Street in June 2017. This building was constructed circa 1901 (brick building) with a 1907 rear frame addition and a 1920 reinforced-concrete addition located at the SEC of Marquette & Water. This building was part of the J.I. Case Plow Works Company/Massey-Harris Company complex; most of which has been razed (i.e. that portion of the plant north of Water Street between Marquette and Howe streets). Case Plow is a separate entity and not to be confused with the nearby J.I. Case Threshing Machine Company (later, J.I. Case Company, Inc.) LARGE GROUP OF INDUSTRIAL BLDGS. INDIVIDUAL BLDGS CANNOT BE DISCERNED FROM PHOTOS. SEE R#11359 FOR OFFICE, 700 STATE ST. Additional map code SK-42. Jerome Increase Case (1819-1891) was a two term mayor of Racine, member of the state senate (1865-1866), founder of the Manufacturers' National Bank of Racine and the First National Bank of Burlington, and developed a combination thresher and separator on this site. His home has been demolished. Stephen Bull (1822-1913) became a co-partner of Case's in 1863, became vice-president and general manager of the company in 1880, and was its president from 1891-1897. Was also the president of the Milwaukee Harvester Co. for 20 years and the president of the Manufacturers' National Bank of Racine. His home has been demolished. Robert Hall Baker (1839-1882) became a co-partner of Case's in 1863. Was the director of various banks, mining and manufacturing companies. In 1867, he was the Racine school commissioner. Was an alderman in 1868 and 1871 and became mayor in 1874. Was a member of the state senate in 1873 and in 1875-1876. Massena Berthier Erskine (1819-1894) became a quarter-owner of the Case Co. in 1863. Was superintendent of the company from 1863-1892 and was its vice-president from 1892-1894. Was a four term mayor of Racine. The J.I. Case Plow Co. manufactured the revolutionary plow, the center draft walking plow, and the most complete line of plows made in the United States during the late 19th century. |
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| Bibliographic References: | RACINE JOURNAL TIMES 11/30/1994. 1887 insurance map. 1894 insurance map. 1908 insurance map. Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography, p. 70. The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Vol. 18, New York: James T. White and Co., 1922, p. 40. Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography, p. 23. Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography, p. 119. Racine Journal 6/13/1922, p. 2, "First Case Plow Made Years Ago." Racine Journal Times 7/19/2000. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |