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Property Location
Property Features
Exhibiting the simplicity of decoration chracteristic of the early 20th century, the Doerflinger Store is architecturally significant as the first modern commercial store in the City and important as an example of the work of the lcoal architects, Schick and Roth.
In 1893, Doerflinger is a "dry-goods dealer" at 109-113 South Fourth (a hotel/saloon that is not extant). By 1897, he has built the first Park Store at 400 Main. This property burned and in 1903 the present building was erected. It, too, was originally called the Park Store, but by 1907 is called Doerflinger's Department Store. This was the first of a new style of "modern" commercial buildings. The ground floor has very large glass display windows with no significant supports visible. Above the display windows was a narrow band of windows with frosted glass to provide indirect light inside, a feature used in the 1880s and 1890s. The forth floor has smaller windows and seems shorter, a device to make the building seem taller.
Hugo Schick was trained in Europe and used various decorative styles based on historic sources for his other buildings. His partner, Andrew Roth, had no formal training in architecture. Neither man was trained to design this kind of building, so its origin is something of a mystery.
Covenant/Easement: Expires 2-14-2019. Effective 2-14-1999. A 'covenant file' exists for this property. It may contain additional information such as photos, drawings and correspondence. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
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