Property Record
701 E WASHINGTON AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | J.I. CASE THRESHER MACHINE CO. |
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| Other Name: | 2006 - High Noon Saloon / Brass Ring |
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| Reference Number: | 68900 |
| Location (Address): | 701 E WASHINGTON AVE |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Madison |
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| Year Built: | 1915 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20012019 |
| Historic Use: | automobile showroom |
| Architectural Style: | Twentieth Century Commercial |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| 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. 2019: This two-story commercial building with a raised basement was built in 1915. It has brick veneer and a flat roof. The original portion of the building is one story with paired one-over-one sash windows with multi-light transoms that are surrounded by decorative brick arches. A concrete band separates the first story from the raised basement level on each elevation. The basement level has one-light windows. The front (south) facade of the original building has two double-door entrances. A large modern addition includes an addition to the side (east) elevation. A modern second-story addition is irregular in shape and mimics details of the original building. Windows on the additions are fixed single-pane windows with single-pane transoms and are surrounded by decorative brick arches. The rear (north) elevation has a one-story protruding entrance and canopy with a rounded roof. This entrance has large storefront windows and one-light double doors. According to the previous DOE form for the property, the building was constructed as an implement dealership for the J.I. Thresher Machine Company, one of the largest threshing manufacturers in the Midwest. In 1925 the building, which was designed as an automobile showroom, was sold to Kayser Motors, Inc. and served as a car dealership. In 1970 it was sold to Tom Bosben, who used it as a multi-business facility. ______________ In 2005, this building underwent a redesign that added a stepped-back level above the ground floor as well as an additional section extending from the northeast end of the building. Also, during the redesign, a section was added to the rear (southeast) side of the building. This building was constructed in 1915 as an implement dealership for the J.I. Case Thresher Machine Company. J.I. Case organized in Racine in 1844 and grew to become one of the Midwest's largest manufacturers of threshing machinery and other farm implements. One of the methods used by the company to facilitate its tremendous growth was through the use of salesmen and well-placed dealerships. Despite its strategic position within Madison, J.I. Case did not retain the subject structure very long. By the mid 1920s it was owned by a car dealership known as Kayser Motors, Inc., which sold Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury brands. This was one of many automobile dealerships that established themselves along East Washington Avenue after World War I. The avenue at that time was known locally as "automobile row" due to the dense concentration of dealerships. Kayser continued business into at least the 1960s. |
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| Bibliographic References: | “Determination of Eligibility Form, J.I. Case Thresher Machine Co./Kayser Motors, Inc. Building,” 2002, State Historical Society of Wisconsin. CITY DIRECTORY. COMM. BUS. 5/29/1915, P. 3. Building permit. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |