Property Record
23678 WASHINGTON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | A. Garthus Building |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 172241 |
| Location (Address): | 23678 WASHINGTON ST |
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| County: | Trempealeau |
| City: | Independence |
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| Year Built: | 1895 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2010 |
| Historic Use: | general store |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| 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: | |
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| Additional Information: | 2011- The Amund Garthus Building is a two-story, red brick commercial building located on the north side of Washington Street, in the block between First and Second streets. Erected in 1895, the previously inventoried building rises from a stone foundation and displays a double storefront that overlooks Washington Street. The double storefront is united by an elaborate cast-iron, Queen Anne style cornice that displays incised gable and floral ornament, and classically-inspired modillions and brackets. The dominant gabled roof is hidden by the falsefront facade. The building's upper-story remains very intact and displays six window bays with double-hung windows, each surmounted by a coursed stone lintel and underscored by a coursed stone sill. Alterations are primarily limited to the street-level, where the entire storefront has been reconfigured and modernized with a newer brick face, modern replacement siding, and modern windows and doors. Re-surveyed for 2010 DOT STH 93 project: double storefront, elaborate, cast-iron Queen Anne style cornice (with incised gable and floral ornament, classically-inspired modillions and brackets), and coursed stone lintels and sill. The cornice indicates a construction or remodel date of 1895, and the name: A. Garthus. Local histories indicate two possible name associations, Armund Garthus and Adam Garthus. Armund was a five-time mayor of Independence (1892, 1894, 1899, 1902 and 1911), and Adam was a World War I veteran. The 1894, 1914 and 1924 Sanborn maps indicate the building as a general store. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1894, 1914 and 1924 Sanborn maps. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |