Property Record
97 N MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | First National Bank |
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| Other Name: | Koshkonong Galleries |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 74506 |
| Location (Address): | 97 N MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Fort Atkinson |
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| Year Built: | 1867 |
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| Additions: | C. 1888 1968 |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | bank/financial institution |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/7/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Two-story brick load-bearing; second floor apparently altered to match adjacent building, at 93 N. Main; previously Italianate in style with two bays. 1968 remodeling was on first floor. The First National Bank was founded in 1863 and is the third oldest national bank in Wisconsin. In 1922, the bank was moved to its existing quarters across the street. Lucien B. Caswell was instrumental in the founding of the bank. Caswell was a very significant pioneer of Fort Atkinson, having moved from Janesville in 1852. Besides founding this bank, he also established the Citizen's State Bank in 1885 and founded the Northwestern Manufacturing Co. (which made furniture, buggies, farm wagons & sleighs). He represented the citizens of Fort Atkinson at the New York meeting in 1859 at which the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was formed. He served politically in many offices, the most important of which was as a U.S. congressman from 1847-1882 and 1885-1891. As a congressman, he was an early advocate of women's suffrage and was instrumental in lowering the price of a postage stamp from 3 cents to 2 cents! The current facade dates to the later period of his occupancy of this building, but the building is still remembered widely as his office. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) C. Rogers, "Reminiscences...", Art. #342. (B) Sanborn-Perris Maps. (C) Building permit. (D) Aetna Insurance Policy, 1868. (E) 1880 Bird's Eye Map. (F) Ott, J.H., Jefferson County, Wisconsin..., 1917, p. 12-16. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |