Property Record
135 E MAPLE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Washington Barlow Block |
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| Other Name: | Grant County Historical Society |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 44993 |
| Location (Address): | 135 E MAPLE ST |
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| County: | Grant |
| City: | Lancaster |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
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| Year Built: | 1884 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2005 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Courthouse Square Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 4/7/2006 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/20/2006 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. THE BARLOW BLOCK IS DISTINGUISHED BY BRICKWORK PATTERNS AT AND BELOW THE CORNICE LINE AND PROMINENT WINDOW HOODS COMPLETE WITH KEYSTONE. THE LOWER STOREFRONT AREA HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY ALTERED. ITS RECTANGULAR PLAN CONFIGURATION, ITS FLAT ROOF AND ITS BRICK EXTERIOR ARE OTHER FEATURES OF THIS TWO-STORY RETAIL BUILDING. ACCORDING TO THE INTENSIVE SURVEY, THE STYLE OR FORM OF THE BUILDING IS LISTED AS COMMERCIAL VERNACULAR. THIS STRUCTURE WAS FOUND TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THE HISTORIC COMMERCIAL USES FOR THE BUILDING INCLUDE A FURNITURE STORE, A PICTURE FRAMING STORE, AND AN UNDERTAKING AND FUNERAL SUPPLIES (CASKETS) BUSINESS. (A,B,C) HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: THE BARLOW BLOCK ORIGINALLY HOUSED THE FURNITURE BUSINESS OF W. BARLOW, A BUSINESSMAN WHO FIRST OPENED HIS STORE IN LANCASTER IN 1875. SIX YEARS LATER, BARLOW PURCHASED THE FURNITURE ESTABLISHMENT OF JAMES WOODHOUSE AND CONTINUED TO OPERATE FROM BOTH LOCATIONS. COFFINS AND "FUNERAL TRAPPINGS" WERE INCLUDED IN BARLOW'S STOCK. (B) IN 1900, H.S. RHODES, FURNITURE AND UNDERTAKING, OCCUPIED THE BLOCK. (A) IT IS PRESUMED THAT RHODES' BUSINESS SUCCEEDED BARLOW'S. IN 1925, A PICUTRE FRAMING STORE WAS LOCATED ON THE BUILDING'S FIRST FLOOR AND CASKETS WERE SOLD ON THE SECOND. (C) |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. WATTON'S SOUVENIR OF LANCASTER, 1900, P. 24?. B. GRANT COUNTY HERALD, 1 FEBRUARY 1883. (THIS ARTICLE STATES THAT MR. BARLOW IS CONTEMPLATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BUILDING). C. 1925 SANBORN PERRIS MAP. D. CITY OF LANCASTER TAX ROLLS. 2005, Timothy F. Heggland. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Courthouse Square Historic District, Lancaster, WI. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |