31 E DIVISION ST

31 E DIVISION ST

Fond du Lac

Fond du Lac

1940

2010

funeral home

Colonial Revival/Georgian Revival

Brick

No

Previously surveyed in 1988.

2010-2011 Intensive Survey Info:
This two-story, brick-faced funeral home is a restrained example of the Georgian Revival style of architecture and can be divided into four sections. The primary, south elevation of the southernmost, side-gabled section features a central, gabled projection within which rests the modestly recessed, round-arched entrance. Topped with a transom, the doorway is set within a surround featuring a broken pediment with dentils, fluted pilasters and a paneled interior archway. The gabled roofline also features dentil trim, while the east and west edges of the gabled projection are trimmed with large stone quoins. A multiple-light bay window is located above the doorway. Additional rectangular and regularly placed, multiple-light windows are located throughout the southern three sections of the building, while the rearmost portion comprises the garage. A canopy extends from the building's east elevation. There are no apparent exterior alterations aside from the replacement of the original grey-green asphalt tile roof that was referenced in 1940.

This funeral home was built by William and Frank Candlish in 1940 at an approximate cost of $34,000. The Candlish family business began in Rosendale, Wisconsin, in 1891 (or 1892). Born in Canada and learning the cabinet-making business in Virginia, Robert Candlish returned to Wisconsin by no later than 1885 and became the superintendent of the Oshkosh Furniture Company. After thirteen years in Rosendale, Robert relocated in circa 1903 (or 1904) to Fond du Lac, where he established an undertaking business on S. Main Street. By this time, his eldest son William had joined him in the firm. Ten years later, they acquired the undertaking business of the Elmer M. Lieth Furniture Co. In 1923, Robert was struck by a car and killed. After thirty-one years at 147 S. Main Street, they built in 1940 the subject funeral home with apartment quarters located above. A formal opening was held on October 16th & 17th and the building and all of its modern and up-to-date conveniences are discussed in a lengthy article published in the local paper the day prior to its opening. In 1954, Robert Mach joined the family-run firm and, in 1985, he and his son Bruce purchased the business at which time the name was changed to the Mach Funeral Home. The business continues to be run by Bruce Mach and Paul Dercks.

The Candlish Funeral Home dates to the era of modern funeral homes and stands as a good example of a property type. Once the funeral home industry moved from the commercial storefront to a separate building--either built specifically for funerary use or a converted residence--rooms/spaces required for its efficient function included space for chapel services, rooms for reception and offices, as well as preparation and display space. In addition, during the period of the 1920s to the 1940s, funeral home designs often included living quarters for the funeral director. Although an interior inspection of the funeral home was not completed, available information indicates that the former Candlish concern retains all of the requisite spaces required for a funeral home.

(A) Fond du Lac City Directories. "Public Invited to Attend Candlish Opening," The Daily Commonwealth (Fond du Lac), 15 October 1940. Please see 2010-2011 Intensive Survey for additional citations for information below.