Property Record
312 STATE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Moran's Saloon |
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| Other Name: | VOIGT MUSIC CENTER |
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| Reference Number: | 73318 |
| Location (Address): | 312 STATE ST |
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| County: | Rock |
| City: | Beloit |
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| Year Built: | 1880 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | tavern/bar |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Moran's Saloon |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 1/7/1983 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of Beloit |
| Additional Information: | Architecturally significant as one of the best preserved (and one of the few remaining) Victorian Italianate commercial structures in Beloit, 312 State Street is an excellent vernacular adaptation of the Renaissance Revival modes ubiquitous in American cities after 1850. Although the ground story has been regrettably altered, the second story retains its original appearance. Divided into three bays with round arched windows of tall and narrow proportions, the building employs heavily molded brick detail to transform itself from a simple utilitarian structure into a building of elegance and exuberance. The windows, featuring one-over-one sash, are surrounded by brick arches with successively receding archivolts. The arches, crowned with diamond shaped keystones, spring from corbelled imposts which in turn rest atop thin pilasters. The window treatment is richly decorative, even sculptural, and endows an otherwise flat facade with dramatic depth. The second story is framed by thin corner pilasters, a brick course above the ground story and another course at the top of the second story which features dog-toothed and corbelled brick. That same pattern is repeated in the brick ornament at the cornice where three squat pilasters intersect corbelled bands of molded brick. The Renaissance detail enlivens the brick facade while also suggesting the mercantile importance of Beloit in the last quarter of the 19th century. As the only 19th century facade remaining on the west side of State Street, this structure stands out by itself, but it does face the East Grand Avenue Historic District. See RO-107/28 for view of entire street. 312 State Street, built in 1880 (A), was constructed by barkeeper Thomas Moran and used originally as a saloon in the heart of Beloit's downtown. Moran's son George continued in the business until 1913, when management of the saloon was taken over by Carroll and Haley. In 1919, the remaining proprietor, Harry Carroll, adapted to Prohibition by selling soft drinks. Edward Kohn purchased the building from George Moran in 1931, and in 1948 Kohn's business there was called the Three-Twelve Tavern and Cafe. The building was vacant for a brief period in the early 1960's, an today is the renovated Voigt Music Center. (B) |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Beloit Tax Rolls, RCHS Archives. B. Beloit City Directories, 1887-1963. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |