Property Record
2 N 8TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Osuld Torrison Building |
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| Other Name: | North End Pharmacy |
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| Reference Number: | 28636 |
| Location (Address): | 2 N 8TH ST |
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| County: | Manitowoc |
| City: | Manitowoc |
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| Year Built: | 1882 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19852022 |
| Historic Use: | department store |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Eighth Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/17/1988 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | OCCUPIED IN SUCCESSION BY TORRISON, HENERSON-HOYT, BOSTON STORE, AND JOHNSON HILLS. AT ONE TIME THE BUILDING WAS PAINTED WHITE. First story much altered. This three story cream brick building is characterized by elongated windows with stone lintels. Window panels are inset between store pilasters. The front facade has ornamental stone segmental hood moldings. The entire building was built in several stages beginning in 1882 but the design remained constant throughout. Finials and parapet featurs evident from olden photographs have been removed and the first floor storefront modernized. The O. Torrison and Company store was once the largest general store in Manitowoc. Osuld Torrison entered into business on his own in 1853 after clerking for a number of local merchants. The building at 2 N. 8th Street was the fourth location for his business and the only one which survives. The three story section on the southwest corner of No. 8th and Maritime streets was built in 1882. The two story section to the south was second and the three story section to the west was third. The Torrison concern went out of business sometime after WWI and the building is now used for a number of commercial and office purposes. The O. Torrison and Company block significant as one of the leading concerns in the commercial development of the community. Torrison ranks with the Schuette's and Henry Esch as one of the leading merchants in the history of the community. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN MANITOWOC, MANITOWOC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 1988. (B) COUNTY TAX ROLLS. (C) STORY OF A CENTURY, P. 53. (D) FALGE, LOUIS J., HISTORY OF MANITOWOC COUNTY, VOL. II, PP. 490-492. (E) "HEADLIGHT, MANITOWOC - THE GATEWAY," 1898. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |