Property Record
530-532 OAK ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | WRIGHT BUILDING |
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| Other Name: | Reinkings; Vethe Music |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 63512 |
| Location (Address): | 530-532 OAK ST |
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| County: | Sauk |
| City: | Baraboo |
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| Year Built: | 1881 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19892014 |
| Historic Use: | large retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | Steel Frame |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | DAVID R. JONES; Thomas Thompson |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Downtown Baraboo Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/8/2015 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 8/15/2014 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Another map code for this building is SK 49/20, which is found on the Downtown Baraboo District Map. Description: Rising two stories in height, this retail building was constructed in 1881 in the commercial vernacular style, and is in fair condition. (See Bib. Ref. A). It features a rectangular shaped plan configuration, a concrete foundation, a cream brick exterior, a stone and wood trim, and a tar covered flat roof. The building housed both a grocery and a post office from 1881 to 1889. (See Bib. Ref. C). Builder George Hire and designer Thomas Thompson combined their skills to complete this building. However, according to the Wisconsin State Journal of 4/1/1881, architect David Jones is the one attributed to the block's design. Two, two-bay storefronts flank a three bay storefront, although the northern two storefronts have been combined to house a single business. A nameplate carries the name "Wright" in the center of the building. The roofline is accented by corbelling in a miniature arcade motif beneath the dentil trim, punctuated by brick piers and finials. A wooden cornice at the first story is undisturbed by modern signage. An oriel window with a mansard roof (not original to the building) is extant on the north elevation at the northwest corner of the building; the corice of the original Fourth Street storefront is also extant on the northeast corner, and extends about 12 feet. The interior of the store retains a great deal of integrity, including the 1920's wooden shelving with egg and dart trim. Beyond the recessed entryway is a small "foyer" containing two doors, although only one of these openings is in use. Architectural/Engineering Significance: An ornately detailed brickwork cornice coupled with a wooden cornice at the first story provides some classical detailing to this otherwise plain but visually prominent corner commercial block of cream colored brick. The building retains historic storefront openings, although some modern materials have replaced originals. The portion housing Vethe music, in particular, retains large plate glass windows, tramsom and sidelights, and maintains the original design for signage, which is applied to the cornice above a cloth awning. Another current business, Reinking's, the clothing store, also retains a great deal of integrity, particularly in the interior. This building is of interest as a corner "anchor" of an intact commercial block, as well as for its historic association with the now famous Ringling Brothers Circus, and as the site of an early post office. Historical Background: The building was constructed by Elizabeth Wright in 1881 for $5,500, and originally included four stores, three of which faced Oak while a fourth fronted on Fourth Street. The second floor was designed for offices. Early on the post office occcupied the north store, while Jackson Grocery and Hoppe Clothing occupied the two stores south. In 1899, the store was purchased by August Reinking, at which time the north two stores were combined to house his dry goods business. The southern store since that time has housed Lindhal and Gustafson (ca 1905 - ca 1910), Gustafson and Prader (ca 1915 - ca 1935) and Von Wald's Jewelry in the 1950's. Since about 1968 Vethe Music has occupied the building. After 1901 Reinking's son Autie took over. The Fourth Street store, which had housed millinary and tailor shops, about this time was absorbed into the dry goods store. About this time the upper floor had been refitted to house the Ringling Brothers Circus wardrobe department of which Lou Ringling was the head. The interior of the building was completely destroyed by fire in 1923. The present store largely reflects that 1923 remodeling. The store is currently operated by Dennis Thurow, mayor of Baraboo, whose wife is a descendent of the Reinkings, making this the oldest family-run business in Baraboo. Historical Significance: The building is of local significance for its association with the dry goods/clothing store of August Reinking, a prominent Baraboo businessman who established one of the largest and longest running businesses in early Barboo. It is also associated with Al and Lou Ringling, along with the Ringling Brothers Circus, since the upper floor housed the early office of the circus as well as the wardrobe department, supervised by Lou Ringling. The wardrobe department was later moved near "Ringlingville," on Water Street. This site is a rare example of Ringling's interaction with the commercial district, and along with the north side of Block 33, is one of the few extant commercial builidngs with a direct and tangible tie to the Circus industry in Baraboo. From NRHP Nomination Form: Constructed in 1881, the Wright Block cost $5,500 and was financed by Elizabeth Wright of Prairie du Sac. The building originally housed four storefronts on the first floor and office space above. Three of the stores fronted on Oak Street and the fourth faced 4th Street. The 66 by 90 foot building was constructed using over 17,000 cream bricks from Jefferson, Wisconsin by the mason George Hire along with builder Thomas Thompson. Two two-bay storefronts flank a three-bay storefront on the Oak Street façade with an intact wooden cornice at the first story. The roofline is accented by corbelling in a miniature arcade beneath dentils, with brick piers and finials. There is also a name plate with ‘Wright’ at the center. The first floor storefronts exhibit many modern materials, although most adhere to either an 1899 or 1923 remodel. The interior of the stores retain integrity to the 1920s remodeling with wooden shelving, egg and dart trim, and recessed entries. During the first few years the Wright Block housed the Baraboo Post Office at the northwest corner store fronting Oak Street with the Jackson Grocery and Hoppe Clothing store to the south along Oak Street. The smaller storefront facing 4th Street housed a small millinery. In 1899, August Reinking purchased the entire Wright Block and opened a Dry Goods Store in the two stores located at the north end of the building. Autie Reinking, August’s son, took ownership in 1901 when his father passed away. The upper floor of the building had been retrofitted to house the Ringling Brother’s Circus wardrobe department headed by Lou Ringling. The southern two storefronts, located at 530 Oak Street, had a number of tenants during the early twentieth century including a jeweler, fruit store, shoe store, a tailor, and a music store. An extensive fire destroyed much of the interior in 1923 and the present interior of the Reinking Store in the Wright Block reflects the subsequent remodeling. Autie Reinking continued to operate and manage the store until his death in 1968 at the age of 89. The Reinking store was the oldest family run business in Baraboo when it closed in the late twentieth century. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Baraboo News, 12/7/1881. B. Mercantile Appraisal Card, Office of the City Assessor. C. Baraboo Business and Telephone Directories. Baraboo News, December 7, 1881. Baraboo Republic, April 27, 1881. City of Baraboo Directory records on file with the Sauk County Historical Society. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1885, 1892, 1898, 1904, 1913, and 1927. On file at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Ward, Joseph Wayne. Baraboo, 1850-2010, Vols. II-IV: Chronology of the Growth of the Commercial & Retail Districts. Self-published, 2013. Wolter, Paul. Notes collected for tours of Downtown Baraboo. Multiple dates. Wisconsin State Journal April 1, 1881. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |