Property Record
125 ILLINOIS ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | King's Daughters Hall |
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| Other Name: | Bolton Refuge House |
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| Reference Number: | 41430 |
| Location (Address): | 125 ILLINOIS ST |
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| County: | Eau Claire |
| City: | Eau Claire |
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| Year Built: | 1927 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1997 |
| Historic Use: | social recreational/fraternal hall |
| Architectural Style: | Boomtown |
| Structural System: | Masonry |
| Wall Material: | Rock-Faced Concrete Block |
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| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Located in Shawtown, a section of Eau Claire which was once dominated by the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company, the King's Daughters Hall is a rectangular block structure with a stepped parapet. Between 1981 and 1987, a gable entryway has been attached on the front. The front door has been changed to a recent design. The order of King's Daughters was founded in 1886 by Margaret Bottome of New York. In 1887 membership was opened to men and boys, and the name changed to the International Order of the King's Daughters and Sons. The organization was devoted to the development of Christian life and activities. In 1905 the membership numbered over 500,000 (B). 1997 survey update: The Eau Claire chapter of the King's Daughters was formed on February 10, 1901 where 18 persons signed the organizations constitution. Mrs. Ella B. Briggs of 1636 Menomonie was signed as President at its origin. The organization's membership peaked with 190 members but by 1935, membership had declined to about 75 people. The King's Daughters organization operated in Eau Claire at this location through 1957 and disbanded in 1990. The building was also used as a polling place and the Unitarian Church held services here for many years. The meeting hall has been subsequently owned by the Campfire Organization for girls and by the Bolton Refuge House. The interior has been completely remodeled so that no part of the original hall remains. 2016- "The Shawtown Circle of the International Order of the King's Daughters was organized in 1901 with 18 members to assist the sick and needy in the community. The organization constructed the meeting hall in 1927, mostly with labor donated by members and their husbands. The building was also used as a polling place and the Unitarian Church held services there for many years. The organization's membership peaked with 190 members, but by 1935 membership had declined to about 75 persons. The King's Daughters disbanded in 1990 and the Baptist Evangelical Fellowship now owns the building." -"Eau Claire Landmarks: Designated Historic Properties in Eau Claire, Wisconsin", Eau Claire Landmarks Commission, P.O. Box 5148, 2016. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) 1929 Eau Claire City Directory. (B) National Cyclopedia of America Biography, Vol. 13, p. 48. (C) Building inscription. (D) Another map code for this building is EC 5P/4 and its corresponding Survey map name is Plat Map #10. Eau Claire Landmarks booklet published by the Landmarks Commission in 2002. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |