Property Record
CA.111 S MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Westby Telephone Co. Building |
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| Reference Number: | 73489 |
| Location (Address): | CA.111 S MAIN ST |
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| County: | Vernon |
| City: | Westby |
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| Year Built: | 1915 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19952018 |
| Historic Use: | telephone/telegraph building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| 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: | Sanborn-Perris maps show that this two-story brick Commercial Vernacular form building was built between 1911 and 1938 and a plaque in the cornice reads "Westby Telephone Co." The first story was once occupied by E.T. Borgen's restaurant and later by Grant Rudie Sr.'s pharmacy. Today, the first story of the building is a part of Borgen's Cafe and Bakery, which also occupies the building next door. 1995- The building's main facade faces northwest and it is still crowned with its original paneled cornice, above which is a tall brick parapet with a large stone panel set into it that bears the words "Westby Telephone Co." The second story still retains its original brick cladding and six flat-arched window openings, each of which contains a one-over-one light window. Original storefront has now been replaced by a modern one that has been placed between the original simple brick pilaster strips that enframe the storefront. In addition, a large modern wood shake-covered pent roof now spans the width of the facade above the store front. 2018 - the first story has been reconfigured with infill and smaller, modern window openings. The entryway door replaced. Historically, the first floor also served as a drugstore and was used by the Westby Youth Club, while the second floor was occupied by the Westby Telephone Co. In the 1970s, it was joined with Borgen’s Café to the north (109 South Main Street) to create a larger dining space. 2018: "This two-story brick commercial vernacular building was constructed c.1915. The altered storefront level is clad in vertical board siding with a stone veneer bulkhead and is sheltered by a full-width pent roof with wood shingles. At the north end of the facade is a recessed entry, with two picture windows positioned to the south. The second story of the facade includes six one-over-one windows between a continuous stone sill and lintel. Above the lintel is a decorative cornice and brick parapet with an etched stone panel that reads "Westby Telephone Co." The Westby Telephone company was organized in 1902 and, after construction of this building, occupied the second floor. The company was sold to the Vernon Telephone Cooperative in 1961, which then moved into the first-floor space, after previously being headquartered in Viroqua. 8 Historically, the first floor also served as a drugstore and was used by the Westby Youth Club. In the 1970s, it was joined with Borgen's Cafe to the north (109 South Main Street) to create a larger dining space." |
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| Bibliographic References: | Vernon County Heritage. Viroqua: Vernon County Historical Society, 1994, pp. 26-27. "USH 14 Transportation Study ", WisDOT ID #1646-07-00, Prepared by Timothy F Heggland (1995) photo code VE 25/22 |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |