Property Record
149 W PULASKI ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Henry Baker's Tavern and Pulaski Auditorium |
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| Other Name: | ZIELINSKI'S BAR AND AUDITORIUM |
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| Reference Number: | 2321 |
| Location (Address): | 149 W PULASKI ST |
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| County: | Brown |
| City: | Pulaski |
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| Year Built: | 1890 |
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| Additions: | 1933 |
| Survey Date: | 2010 |
| Historic Use: | dance hall |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Stucco |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | 1975: ROUND ARCH ROOFED AUDITORIUM BEHIND BARGABLE ROOFED BAR W/ FALSE FRONT. 2010: This property is comprised of a bar/tavern and a ballroom to the rear. Regarding the bar/tavern portion, it is comprised of a one-and-one-half-story, front-gabled wing and a one-story wing to the west (left), all of which is fronted by a Boomtown front that is sheathed with stone veneer along its south elevation. A central, recessed entry and two rectangular windows are located along the first story of the east wing, while three sash windows line the upper level. A single window is located along the west wing. The visible side elevations are covered with aluminum siding. The arched-roof ballroom to the rear is largely covered with stucco; however, the upper arched area is covered with vinyl. Short, stucco-sheathed #28;buttresses#29; are located along each of the side elevations and alternate with tripartite window groupings. A vinyl-sheathed, arched entry extends to the west from the ballroom proper and signage above the doorway reads #28;ZIELINSKI'S BALLROOM.#29; Also located on the property is a front-gabled, vinyl-sheathed garage. Statement of Significance Zielinski's Ballroom--originally the Pulaski Auditorium--was built in 1933 by Vincent Zielinski. This structure replaced an earlier bar and dance hall that was reportedly built by Henry Baker and was known as the Diamond Roof. Following Baker, the tavern was run by the Wachowski family. Daughter Josephine Wachowski married Vincent Zielinski and the tavern and ballroom was, thereafter, run by Zielinski. The ballroom was a venue for popular bands #28;of the day.#29; It continues to serve the community and the greater Polka nation for Pulaski Polka Days and has been a recent location for the taping of the #28;Polka Variety Show,#29; which airs Sunday mornings on WLUK-TV (Green Bay). |
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| Bibliographic References: | #28;The Story of Pulaski,#29; Pulaski News, 10 April 1947. A newspaper citation in the Appleton (WI) Post Crescent identifies that the WLS radio Farmer show was held in the Pulaski Auditorium in 1937 (Appleton Post Crescent, 14 October 1937). |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |