1631 MAIN ST

1631 MAIN ST

Trempealeau

Whitehall

1912

1981

city/town/village hall/auditorium

Romanesque Revival

Brick

Yes

2003

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, Division of Historic Preservation. A well designed example of a common, early 20th century public building type, this structure is highly visible within the CBD because of its tower and massing.

The late Romanesque Revival design features a three bay facade, bent strap iron cornice brackets, and a central tower. TheWhitehall City Hall is an excellent example of a typical municipal building of the early 20th century. Despite its modifications, it remains a handsome focal point within theWhitehall community.

The Whitehall City Hall was built in 1912 and has served in this capacity since that time. It is remarkably similar to the Blair, Wisconsin, City Hall and it is likely that both were designed by the same architect (unknown at this time). The Whitehall City Hall originally included the fire department, the public library, and a large community hall used for theatrical production. It is an early 20th century interpretation of the Romanesque Revival style, three stories in height, resting on a rusticated stone foundation. The exterior walls are veneered with red brick and this same material was used to fashion segmental arches over the broad first story windows and the narrower ones on the second.d A plain band of smooth limestone forms a belt course while a similarly unadorned cornice forms the base for the hipped roof. A tower forms the central/entry bay and is similarly capped with a hipped roof. Wrought iron brackets support the tower eaves while smooth limestone trims the tower entry.

Because of structural weakness, the third story is no longer used and its windows are boarded. An original vehicular entry (serving the fire department) located in the south bay of the primary facade has also been modified and now is similar in configuation to other first story windows.

A small, octagonal bandstand was erected on the City Hall grounds by the local Chatauqua Society in 1915. Finished with unpainted stucco, this small structure is located just north of the City Hall entry. A bell shaped roof originally crowned this outbuilding but has since been removed.

This building has been on the focus of community government and cultural activities since it was constructed in 1912. It originally housed the fire department, the public library, many community theatrical performances which took place in the large public hall.

B. Building Marker. C. Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin (Chicago, 1917), p. 233. LaCrosse Tribune 7/20/2003. “Architecture and History Survey: USH 53” WHS project number 13-0879/TR. November 2013. Prepared by Mead & Hunt Inc.

Not Listed