Property Record
211 DEWITT
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Wood and Smith Flour and Feed |
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| Other Name: | THE FLOWER CO. |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 30083 |
| Location (Address): | 211 DEWITT |
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| County: | Columbia |
| City: | Portage |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1899 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1992 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | Brick |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Portage Retail Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 4/27/1995 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 10/24/1994 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Dave Eulberg (1993) remembers the building functioning as a tavern called Taylor's Tap. Cast iron cornice wth garland design; corbeling; oriel window with dentils; stone lintels; stone string course and series of brick panels between floors; display windows and Aug iron pilasters; recessed entrance with one sidelight and overlight. Stamp on pilaster: "Portage/Iron/Work/1900." G.D. Wood and J.W. Smith, flour and feed dealers, operated at 211 DeWitt (25/3) which was erected while Grove D. Wood owned the property in 1898-1899. They remained at that location through 1905. In business since 1896, Charles Gieseler operated a cigar factory at 203 DeWitt (25/1) by 1901 to about 1910. In 1910, he moved to 211 DeWitt (25/3) and remained there through 1918, probably until the early 1920s. From 1924 through 1929, William Jowett operated a paint store in the building. Dr. E.F. Tierney placed his office there in at least 1929. By 1948 through 1955, Herb's Tavern had located at the address. "Flour and feed dealers G.D. Wood & J.W. Smith occupied this building after its construction in 1898-99 until 1905. In business since 1896, Charles Giesler moved his cigar factory into the building by 1910 and probably remained until the early 1920s. Although tobacco was raised in turn-of-the-century Columbia County, cigar factories located their small shop more because of the potential market than available supply of tobacco. These shops that preceded mass production often required little space and a low investment in equipment. By 1924, the Jowett paint store replaced the cigar shop. Little of the building's Italianate Commercial details have changed: cast iron cornice, oriel window, and original store front with cast iron pilasters by the Portage Iron Works, all remains." Historic Portage, WI: Downtown & Waterfront Walking Tour, 1995. |
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| Bibliographic References: | PORTAGE 1986 LANDMARK CALENDAR. Sanborn-Perris Map Co. 1929: store 1918: cigar manufacturer 1910: vacant 1901: flour 1894: building not present The stamp on the cast iron front indicates "Portage/Iron/Company/1900." Columbia Co. Treasurer 1863- 1925, 1930: William Jowett 1910, 1920: Clara Gieseler (cigar) 1900, 1905: D. G. Wood 1895: property not listed The building was constructed between 1898 and 1899 while C.J. Pettibone owned the property. Directories: 1955: (211) Herb's Tavern (Johnson Printing Co.) 1948: (211) Herb's Tavern (Commonwealth Telephone Co.) 1937: no Herb's Tavern listed (Commonwealth Telephone Co.) 1929: (211) Wm. Jowett, painter and 211.5: Dr. E.F. Tierney (Smith Baumann Directory Co.) 1927-28, 1924-25 not 1921: Jowett, paints (R.L. Polk & Co.) 1917-18: (211) Charles Gieseler, cigar manufacturer (Farrell) 1915-16, 1913-14: Charles Gieseler, cigar manufacturer (R.L. Polk & Co.) 1910: (211) Charles Gieseler, cigar manufacturer (Voshardt) (1910 the store is vacant) 1908-09: Charles Gieseler at 203 DeWitt (S.H. Moore & Co.) 1901-02: Wood & Smith, flour and feed dealers (no address) (R.L. Polk & Co) 1896-97: Wood & Smith not listed (R.L. Polk & Co.) 1895-96: Charles Gieseler, cigar manu. no address given (R.L. Polk & Co.) not list in 1893-94) Historic Portage, WI: Downtown & Waterfront Walking Tour, 1995. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |