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Neat Buildings and Homes
The Washburn Historical Museum and Cultural Center, Bayfield County, is known to many as the Old Bank Building, built in 1890. It is a beautiful brownstone structure and is on the state and National Register of Historic Places. A gift shop and changing arts exhibits are on the first floor, the historical society museum on the second. We lost our notes describing the exact location of this beauty. It's in the town of Westboro, on Route 13 south of Ogema in Price County, at N7784. It was snowing a bit and we spotted this home on the left side of the road not far south of Ogema. What a terrific home in a terrific setting. There is a very small community known as Hollister, Wisconsin, in Langlade County, about a mile north of Langlade Town (population 487) and the intersection of Hwys 64 and 55. This building once was the Hollister School, but is now a family's home. It's marvelous. We have noticed several old schools now being used as homes throughout the state. It's better than letting these terrific buildings go away. Here is some grand old fun, Gina Rae's "Pie's are Square" restaurant on Main Street in Wilton, Monroe County. Gina says customers have given her the title, "Goddess of Pies." There's a great story about this restaurant at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. We, of course, love this style of building and absolutely love the ad on the side for Gold Medal Flour. Great story here, too. Way in the lower left of this side of the building is painted the name, "Thomas Cusack & Co. Chicago." There is case law from 1916-1917 regarding Thomas Cusack Co. v. City of Chicago, having to do with outdoor advertising. Cusack was a company engaged in outdoor advertising. The city apparently tried to enforce an ordinance against outdoor billboards and the company sued. The company lost! Well, quite clearly it's okay in Wilton, and we agree. Wisconsin has a rich history of barn architecture and some terrific stories to go along with it. The website, Wisconsin Barns: Stories in Wood & Stone, gives you some great insights to the history and the nostalgia associated with the old barns in the state. We found this one in the Town of Blenker on CH F near the junction with Hwy 10. She's a beauty. She looks like a Fieldstone barn topped off with wood. We'd like to give you a closer look at her fieldstone workmanship.
The Marchetti (Louis) House, 111 Grant St., Wausau, Marathon County. Also known as the Judge Marchetti House. It is a "Second Empire" archtectural style, built around 1878. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is presently a classic antiques, treasures and flowers retail store. Judge Marchetti came to Wausau from Vienna, Austria in 1867. He worked as a river pilot and in sawmills, became a school teacher, bookkeeper, city street commissioner, judge, and lawyer. He served as Wausau’s mayor from 1901-1904 and published the first comprehensive history of the county in 1913. Marchetti was very patriotic and loved displays of loyalty to the country. There has been talk of tearing this building down, or moving it; the same for the Church of the Resurrection across the street, and its old school behind it --- don't let that happen. The Oneida County Courthouse, Rheinlander. This is the second courthouse structure, the first having been completed in 1887. This present courthouse was completed in 1911, and is on the same site as the first. The old court house was moved one block and was used as the County Training School for teachers. The dome of this building is most intriguing. This next photo shows you a zoom view of it.
It is a wonderful dome. We regret not having gone inside the building to view it from there. We've not been able to find anything written about this dome. From the outside, the dome appears built with stained glass to create a vision of the county's rural landscapes. We'll give you an even closer view.
Next time we will be sure to go inside and get some details about this dome. In the interim, we would be grateful to hear from knowledgeable readers. "The greatest place in town" so the sign says on the left corner of 1806 Main Street in Merrill, Marathon County. The paint job on this home is vibrant and the colors waving in the wind out front are wonderful. There's no missing this home! It's a beauty. A wonderful, stately home turned into offices by Menzner Lumber & Supply Co. on Main Street in Marathon City, Marathon County. We think it to be Colonial Revival Architecture, prominent throughout the US 1876-1955. It's gratifying to see companies save these kinds of places. It probably costs them some profit, but it most certainly preserves our culture.
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Photo credits: Ed Marek, Marek Enterprise Courthouse, Oneida County, Rheinlander Fieldstone Barn, Blenker "Greatest place in town," The vibrant red house in Merrill Hollister School now a family's home. Marchetti (Louis) House, Wausau Near Ogema, Route 13 south of the town Menzner Lumber & Supply Co., A stately home in Marathon City. Pies are Square, Wilton Washburn Historical Museum and Cultural Center Historic buildings make towns unique. "The past is important because the past is responsible for everything we are today. It is our individual collective identity. Today things have changed. Almost every town looks the same. They are no longer unique, unless they have retained some of the historic heritage. It is the uniqueness of the historic buildings that make each place individual." September 29, 2005. We highlight the great things about Wisconsin, which are also things that reflect so well on America --- its people, land, and culture. |
