| Additional Information: |
Architectural Statement:
Altered cornice; windows filled in; shed roof.
Built as part of the Krouskop Lumber Yard, established in 1883, the Krouskop Granary is characterized by a shed roof and plain brick surfaces. The windows have been filled in (B).
Constructed between 1892 and 1899, this building was used for grain storage from its construction until at least 1927 (A).
Architectural/Engineering Significance:
The Krouskop Granary does not meet the NRHP criteria for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity. However, this utilitarian vernacular building contributes to the historic character of the proposed Krouskop Historic District.
Historical Background:
The Krouskop Granary was a part of the Krouskop Lumberyard whose main mill was erected in 1883. However, he did not acquire most of the land which the milling operation occupies until 1879-1880. His operations eventually covered the area between the river to the west, Haseltine to the north, Main on the east extending to Central to include block 49, and Gage Street to the south (1). The 1883 mill structure burned in 1892, and Krouskop rebuilt and considerably expanded the brick mill by 1893 (2).
The yard reached full built capacity by 1911. In addition to the granary, major buildings at that date included a saw and planing mill with a power house, lumber sheds, kiln, yard office, horse barn, an agricultural implement warehouse, grain warehouse, and livestock yards. The yard sat adjacent to the railroad, a facility indispensable to the transportation of its bulk products. Krouskop shipped many of his goods to Chicago for a broad distribution across the Midwest and Plains as well as engaging in local retail.
Krouskop wholesaled and retailed rough and finished lumber, sashes and doors, windows, oak flooring, moldings, siding, shingles, lathe, fencing, agricultural implements, and other building supplies. And, he also stored grain, feed, hay, coal, cement, and sand and kept livestock. Krouskop specifically advertised his wholesale business in 1909. He had maintained lumber warehouses occupying several blocks since the mid-1880's which suggests the extent of his business. Krouskop represents one of a limited number of commercial enterprises in Richland Center. After Krouskop's death in 1930, W.S. McCorkle and Carl Barnes gained his lumber operation (3).
Built between 1892 and 1899, the Krouskop Granary by 1910 to 1920 stored cement, salt, and farm products. Although the Krouskop Lumberyard Historic District primarily cut hardwood timber and produced finished hardwood products, Krouskop expanded his margin of success by adding agricultural commercial services in the 1890's which until that point had been mainly handled by mercantilists and mill operators. Given Richland Center's primary role as an agricultural trading center in northern Richland County, Krouskop assured his success by filling this void (4).
Historical Significance:
The Krouskop Granary is an historically contributing component of the Krouskop Lumberyard Historic District. It acquires local historical significance under Criterion A in association with the Wholesale Topic of the Commerce Theme. Although not a large commercial center, Richland Center did provide buying and wholesaling services for the northern part of Richland County, particularly for agricultural products after the 1890's. Before the 1880's, farmers relied primarily upon the commercial services of large mercantile stores and by the 1870's of its mills. The mills ground farmers' grain into feed. Thus, Krouskop expanded these services in the 1890's. Since farmers engaged in commercial farming, first in grains and later in dairying which required reliance on their own feed, such services were vital to area farmers and reflect the inter-relationship between the rural area and the trade center.
granary |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1. Richland County Abstract Company, Indices to Land Records in the Richland County Courthouse (Richland Center: Richland County Abstract Company, n.d.); Democrat, April 9, 1930; Sanborn-Perris Map Company, Diagrammatic and Detailed City Maps Published for Use by Fire Insurance and Mortgage Companies (New York and Chicago: Sanborn-Perris Map Company, 1885-1886); Ibid., 1892; Ibid., 1889; Ibid., 1905; Ibid., 1912; Ibid., 1927.
2. Democrat, May 3, 1937; Margaret Scott, Richland Center: A History (Richland Center: Richland County Publishers, 1972), p. 97.
3. Perl L. Lincoln, P.L. Lincoln Papers (Richland Center: Local History Room, Brewer Library, n.d. [Mss. uncatalogued]); Carl Burdock, The Chicken, the Egg, and the Omelet (Madison: Archieves [Mss.], State Historical Society fo Wisconsin, 1964); George Sinnett, Oral Interview (739 South Park, Richland Cneter, February 12, 1`988); Local History Room, Brewer Library, Manuscripts (Richland Center: Local History Room, Brewer Library, Mss. 1645, 1073, 226); Sanborn-Perris Map Company, Ibid., 1885-86; Ibid., 1892; Ibid, 1899; Ibid., 1905; Ibid., 1912; Ibid., 1927; Scott, Ibid., pp. 158, 223; R.L. Polk and Co., Wisconsin Gazetteer and Business Directory (Chicago: R.L. Polk and Co., 1909.), p. 1131.
4. Burdock, Ibid.; Sanborn-Perris Map Company, Ibid., 1892; Ibid., 1899; Sinnett, Ibid.
A. Sanborn Insurance Map, City of Richland Center (New York: Sanborn Map Co., 1886-1927).
B. Margaret Scott, Richland Center, Wisconsin, A History (Richland Center: Richland County Publishing, 1972), p. 71, 97. |
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