Property Record
119 W COOK ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | CHARLES MOHR BUILDING |
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| Other Name: | WM. JON JEWELERS |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 30165 |
| Location (Address): | 119 W COOK ST |
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| County: | Columbia |
| City: | Portage |
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| Year Built: | 1883 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1992 |
| Historic Use: | small retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| 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: | Parapet with corbeling; pilasters along corners; round arch windows; lintels with keystone; windows closed; recessed first floor store front altered. In 1883, L.W. Barden sold to Charles and William Mohr the building at 119 W. Cook. Mohr Brothers replaced the building standing at that site in 1883 or 1884. Charles Mohr and Bro. with Charles and Christian established their dry goods business by 1973. By 1886, Charles Mohr may have operated alone. With his sons Charles Jr. and August, he then operated Charles Mohr and Co. by 1890. The two sons may have maintained the business as Charles Mohr & Bro. from 1893 through 1910. Although Charles died between 1910 and 1915, the company op3erated under the same name in the same building and remained there through 1937. Gambles replaced J.C. Penney by 1948 through 1955 (Butterfield 1880: 663; Murtagh 1987). |
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| Bibliographic References: | PORTAGE 1989 LANDMARKS CALENDAR. Sanborn-Perris Map Co. 1929: store 1918: dry goods 1910: dry goods and notions 1901: general store 1894: dry goods, cloths, boots and shoes 1889, 1885: dry goods, groceries, and boots and shoes Columbia Co. Treasurer 1863- 1915-30: Charles Mohr Est. 1876-1910: Charles Mohr 1870: C. Mohr and Bros. The 1882 map (Stoner) indicates a different building than the one standing now. The rise in assessed value from 1882 to 1885 suggests that the building was erected at 1883-1884. Directories: 1955: (119) Gambles (Johnson Printing co.) 1948: (119) Gambles (Commonwealth Telephone Co.) 1937: J.C. Penney Co. (Commonwealth Telephone Co.) 1929: J.C. Penney Co. (Smith-Baumann Directory Co.) 1927-28, 1924-25: J.C. Penney & Co., James A. Butrick, manager, clothing, dry goods, and shoes (R.L. Polk & Co.) 1921? 1919-20: Charles Mohr & Bro. General Store (Charles and August) (R.L. Polk & Col) 1917-18 (119) Charles Mohr & Bro. General Store (Farrell) 1915-16, 1913-14, 1911-12: Charles Mohr & Bro. General Store (Charles and August) R.L. Polk & Co. 1910: (119) Mohr, Chas. & Bro., dry goods and notions (Voshardt) 1908-06, 1903-04, 1901-02, 1897-98, 1895-96, 1893-94: Mohr, Chas. & Bro., dry goods and notions (R.L. Polk & Co.) 1890: Mohr, Charles & Co. with son Charles J.r and August on the north side of Cook, 10 e. from Clark (Wright) 1886: Charles Mohr is identified as a merchant (Rockwell and Godell) 1885, 1884-85: Charles Mohr & Bro. with Charles and Christian, general store (R.L. Polk & Co.) 1873: Charles Mohr & Bro., dry goods (Platt) not 1870. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |