Property Record
23 S MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Retlaw Theater |
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| Other Name: | Retlaw 5 THEATRE |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 54327 |
| Location (Address): | 23 S MAIN ST |
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| County: | Fond du Lac |
| City: | Fond du Lac |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1925 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1988 |
| Historic Use: | theater |
| Architectural Style: | Art Deco |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Terra Cotta |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | North Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/6/2002 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 10/19/2001 |
| 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, Division of Historic Preservation. Photo code #3: 74FD-27/34. This two story theater building has a facing of terra cotta. The very wide cornice of the building consists of small panels of terra cotta decorated in a foliated pattern. There are three plain shields, two vertical bands, and coping all done in terra cotta. A large central opening under the terra cotta cornice has been filled in. A hanging marquee sign with the name of the theater spelled has been filled in. A hanging marquee sign with the name of the theater spelled out in neon and running marquee lights decorate the white marquee sign. The theater entrance consists of modern glass panels and doors and an aggregate stucco covering the first floor facade. As is typical of most downtown theaters, the rear of the building is a large, multi-story brown brick structure with two small exit doors and a terra cotta decorated parapet. The interior of the theater was not examined for interior decoration, but the marquee indicates a tri-plex, suggesting that the interior has been sub-divided into three screen spaces. This theater building is signfiicant for architecture because its exterior decor is an interesting example of the Art Deco style. More significantly, this building is a good example of the intricate details that could be used to decorate a building using terra cotta. If there are historic architectural details still extant in the interior of this building, they would add to its overall significance as often the interior of theatres from this era were much more opulent than the exterior. It also contributes to the significance of the North Main Street Historic District. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. City Directories for the City of Fond du Lac, on file at the Fond du Lac Public Library, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. B. Sanborn-Perris Maps for the City of Fond du Lac, on file in the Archives of the State Historical Society of Wisconisn, Madison, Wisconsin. C. Tax Rolls for the City of Fond du Lac, on file in the Area Research Center of the university of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Library, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. THE REPORTER 8/29/1996. Fond du Lac Reporter 1/21/1998. Fond du Lac reporter 4/16/1998. Fond du Lac Reporter 9/18/1998. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |