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112-114 S MAIN ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

112-114 S MAIN ST

Architecture and History Inventory
112-114 S MAIN ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:Fair Store
Other Name:Harbor Bike
Contributing: Yes
Reference Number:116922
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):112-114 S MAIN ST
County:Waupaca
City:Waupaca
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1900
Additions:
Survey Date:1998
Historic Use:small retail building
Architectural Style:Commercial Vernacular
Structural System:
Wall Material:Brick
Architect: Hans Knudson and Conrad Gmeiner
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name: Main Street Historic District
National Register Listing Date:4/12/2002
State Register Listing Date:1/18/2002
National Register Multiple Property Name:
NOTES
Additional Information:The old Fair Store building is a two-story commercial vernacular structure constructed of brick. The building has a brick corbeled cornice and a stone belt course over the second story openings that are filled with modern glazing. The first floor storefront has been enclosed with brick and glass with a modern glass and metal entrance.

The old Fair Store building contributes to the architectural significance of the Main Street Historic District as an example of the commercial vernacular style. It is much more significant for its association with the Fair Store, one of the most important department stores in Waupaca. The building was originally constructed for the Union Store, a business where several different retailers located their stores under one roof, but remained economically independent. This unusual idea was not successful and in 1904, Nathan Cohen leased the building to enlarge his department store, which he called The Fair. This business was very successful and operated until the 1930s.

The Fair Store is historically significant because it provided the consumers of Waupaca with the most updated goods and services during the first part of the twentieth century. It represents the growth and development of retailing in Waupaca and helped draw people downtown to visit other retailers, as well.
Bibliographic References:Tax Rolls. Waupaca Post, 27 July 1899, p. 5. Wayne A. Guyant. "When Then Was Now." Waupaca Post, 24 December 1991, p. 18.
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory Citation
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