The Corner Drugstore

Continue walking east down Main Street towards the corner of Market Street.

As you go, you'll pass the original sites of Sun Prairie's first stand-alone Post Office (210-212 E. Main) and the homesite of one of Sun Prairie's early leaders, Colonel W.H. Angell (current Bank of Sun Prairie Building). Colonel Angell, whose title emanated from service in the Vermont militia, formulated the original charter of the Sun Prairie village and was the donor of the land for the park that still bears his name southeast of the town center.^[1] His home was moved from this site in 1928 to accommodate planned construction for the Bank of Sun Prairie. However, plans changed and the cleared property became a city park used for band concerts and outdoor movies. The Bank of Sun Prairie’s original intentions were finally realized in 1955 with the construction of a new building on the lot.

As you walk further down the block, you'll pass three buildings constructed in the late 1800s. The Dott Building (238 E. Main St.) was constructed as a saloon in 1891 and is believed to have served in that capacity continuously since that time. The corner of E. Main St. and Market St. was the site of one of Sun Prairie's original hotels, the American House Hotel. The hotel was a two story, cream brick structure with room for 30 guests and a large hall which was destroyed in 1887 by a fire. In 1889, Dr. Ledyard Lewis had the current building constructed on the hotel’s foundation. The proverbial "Corner Drugstore" (242 E. Main St.) was used both for retail and his medical office. In 1910, Dr. McCabe took over the medical practice and purchased the building. Cronkrite’s Sun Prairie Drug Company, later Rexall, occupied the space from 1937-1955. 

Scroll down for more detail on these buildings.

Two buildings within the boundaries of the Historic District are considered "non-contributing" due to their later dates of construction. Their history and current day contributions are, however, worth noting.

​​210-212 E. Main​​

Constructed: 1977​​

2024 Businesses: Designer Nails, Cannery Wine Bar and Tasting Room ​​

This property was the site of Sun Prairie's first stand-alone post office, built in 1910. Previously, the post office had been located inside Hotel Kleiner at 101 E. Main. Sun Prairie was the first Wisconsin community to offer free rural mail delivery in 1896 and began providing home delivery in 1950. Post office operations continued at this location until 1963. Prior occupants of the current building include Prairie Appliance and Trigg's Bakery.​​

228 E. Main​​

Constructed: 1955​​

2024 Business: Bank of Sun Prairie​​

Colonel Angell’s home was moved from this site in 1928 to accommodate a new building for the Bank of Sun Prairie, which was then located at 233 E. Main. When the Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank failed in 1929, the Bank of Sun Prairie moved into the vacated 200 E. Main location instead. The cleared property became a city park used for band concerts and outdoor movies. The Bank of Sun Prairie’s original intentions were realized in 1955 with the construction of a new building on the lot. The land occupied by the bank's drive-thru lanes previously housed Horstmeier's Saloon, Pastime Theater, Arch Restaurant, Emden's Grocery, Eddie's Grocery, McGonigle Drug Store, Schweiger Walgreen Agency Drug Store, and Hillenbrand's Shoe Store. ​

238 E. Main​

Historic Name: Matthew Dott Building​

Constructed: 1891​

2024 Business: Eddie’s Alehouse and Eatery​

This building was constructed for Matthew Dott in 1891 to house a saloon. The building is believed to have been used as a tavern throughout its existence (even during Prohibition), with alehouse names including Huber, Chase, Hebl, Sportsman, J.R., Potter, and Rock. The current owner is Matthew Dott’s first cousin twice removed.​

240 E. Main​

Historic Name: Lebrecht Reddeman Block​

Constructed: 1889​

2024 Business: Edward Jones - Korab Krasniqi CFP®

The first building on this site, the American House Hotel, was destroyed by fire in 1887. The hotel had been a two story, cream brick structure with a large hall and room for 30 guests. In 1889, Lebrecht Reddeman built and operated a saloon on what had been part of the hotel’s foundation.​ Hardware stores owned by A.G. Scheuerell, Edward Klubertanz, and Koltes & Moldrem subsequently occupied the building. ​

242 E. Main​

Historic Name: Dr. L.V. Lewis Drugstore Building​

Constructed: 1889​

2024 Businesses: KONTEXT Architects, Perfect Title and Real Broker, Intentional Purpose Consulting, American Solutions for Business & American Diversity, J. Lash Studios

Also in 1889, Dr. Ledyard V. Lewis built his drugstore and medical office on part of the American House Hotel’s foundation. In 1910, Dr. McCabe took over the medical practice and purchased the building. Cronkrite’s Sun Prairie Drug Company, later called Rexall, occupied the space from 1937-1955. The early Sun Prairie telephone exchange was located upstairs.

^[1] History of Dane County: Biographical and Genealogical, Volume 1. Page 43