| Additional Information: | This two-story Commercial Vernacular retail building features a rectangular shaped plan configuration, a stone foundation, a brick exterior, and a flat roof. An elaborate metal cornice is designed with brackets, medallions and paneled areas. Six rectangular openings, each contianing a one-over-one sash window appears in the second story of the facade. The east-facing iron columns, which were placed between the store-front windows on the ground level, are products of the M. H. Ball Company in Madison, WI., a name imprinted on the columns. With the exception of some brick added to the second story, the facade is original to the building. The structure is in good condition.
Known historically as the Williams Block, this building originally served as the location of a bank, from 1889 to c. 1930, and a hardware store, from 1889 to c. 1930. (See Bib. Ref. A, C). It currently is occupied by Inkwell Printers, Arthur Real Estate, and a dress shop.
Historical Background:
Constructed in 1889 (See Bib. Ref. B), the Williams Block housed the bank established by David H. Williams and the Ryall Hardware Store. (See Bib. Ref. D). The latter enterprise was operated by Louis Ryall and Provided "builders', contractors', miners', and farmers' supplies, dairy goods, stoves, tinware, wood and iron pumps." (See Bib. Ref. E). In 1929 this establishment moved to the newly built Ryall Building (121 N. Iowa Street, 47/17) and was replaced by a furniture store. In connection wit the new occupant a small funeral chapel and mortuary was erected at the rear of the block. this small structure currently houses the Ward-Brodt Music Co. (106 E. Division, Street, 50/18). (See Bib. Ref. C).
The Williams Bank was organized in 1889 and incorporated as a state bank in 1903. By 1913 it was known as the City Bank of Dodgeville with D. H. Wiliams serving as president, V. T. Williams as cashier, and Joyce Williams as assistant cashier. Williams, "a man of exceptional foresight and discrimination in financial matters," also offered fire and life insurance and handled real estate transactions. (See Bib. Ref. B). Later in the twentieth century, the financial institution became the Farmers & Citizen's Bank, which closed in the 1930s, a victim of the depression.
In addition to these uses, the Williams Block provided second floor space for lodge meetings. The 1899 and 1905 Sanborn Maps noted that the Knights of Dythias occupied this upper level. (See Bib. Ref. D). |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. 1894 Sanborn Perris Map.
B. George and Robert Crawford, eds. "Memoirs of Iowa County, Wisconsin," 2 vols. (Chicago: Nortwestern Historical Association, 1913), 2:188-189.
C. "Dodgeville Chronicle," 19 February 1981.
D. 1894, 1899, 1905, 1915, 1927 Sanborn Maps.
E. "Sunday Telegraph," 4 May 1890.
F. Walking Tour of Historic Dodgeville, Wisconsin, Dodgeville Historic Preservaiton Commission, 1995. |
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