Not Really Twins - But Close

Look back to the South across Main Street

Observe the two similar looking buildings that straddle King Street. Though modern in their appearance due to their rounded corners, these two Neo-Classical buildings are on the order of 120 years old and frame the Main block’s intersection with the south running King Street. The Conrad building to the right (121 E. Main), was the first 3 story commercial building constructed in the growing city and was acclaimed by the local newspaper at the time: “The building is the most-costly ($15,000) and handsome private pile in the village and will be an ornament when Sun Prairie is many times larger than it is today.”^[1] Joseph J. Conrad built the building to house a restaurant and bowling alley on the 1st floor, office suites on the 2nd floor and a dance hall on the 3rd floor. Through most of this building’s existence it has operated as a bar and restaurant.

Built almost a decade later, the Lohneis-Weisensel Block to the left of King St. (201-205 E. Main) was constructed on the original site of first settler Charles Bird’s general store and dance hall. Otto Weisensel, a Sun Prairie merchant since 1901, bought the building and opened a general merchandise and grocery store. The smaller, one-story structure to the left was added in 1942 as Weisensel family members continued to operate the business. They later converted it into separate men’s and woman’s clothing stores connected through interior doors to a Ben Franklin chain store. 

To the left, further down the block is a bay window, Queen Anne style building (209-211 E. Main) where many a story has been told. Originally one of Sun Prairie’s many taverns, the building was later owned by the town’s barber, Frank Reininger, who groomed his customers for over 40 years at this site. During parades down Main Street, including one to mark the end of World War II, Reininger would make use of his large front window and a microphone system to provide energizing commentary.

Scroll down for more detail on these buildings.

Historic Buildings Looking Right to Left (West to East)

121 E. Main​

Historic Name: Joseph J. Conrad Block​

Constructed: 1902​

2024 Business: Salvatore’s Tomato Pies​

The Conrad building was the first 3-story commercial building in the growing community. The local newspaper wrote “The building is the most-costly ($15,000) and handsome private pile in the village and will be an ornament when Sun Prairie is many times larger than it is today." The building housed a restaurant on the first floor, office suites on the second floor and a dance hall on the third floor. ​

201-205 E. Main​

Historic Name: Lohneis-Weisensel Block

Constructed: 1909​

2024 Business: This address is not in use as a commercial business as of 2024.

The Lohneis-Weisensel Block was constructed on the site of what had been a dance hall owned by Charles Bird. Otto Weisensel opened a general merchandise and grocery store in the new construction. The Weisensels later converted the business into men’s and women’s clothing stores that connected through interior doors to a Ben Franklin store. ​

​207 E. Main​

Historic Name: Roy Weisensel Building

Constructed: 1942​

2024 Business: Fusion Dance Academy​

The Weisensel family added a one-story structure to the left of the Lohneis-Weisensel Block in 1942. The Ben Franklin store was owned by Roy Weisensel and closed when Roy retired in 1976.​

209-211 E. Main​

Historic Name: Charles Britton Block​

Constructed: 1899​

2024 Business: Forever Yours Jewelry

The first business in this building was a millinery owned by Esther (Etta) Britton, though by 1904 it was converted into a saloon. In 1922 the building was purchased by town barber Frank Reininger, who groomed his customers for over 40 years at this site. During parades down Main Street, including one to mark the end of World War II, Reininger would make use of his large front window and a microphone system to provide energizing commentary.

213-215 E. Main​

Historic Name: Rood-Hillenbrand Building​

Constructed: 1862/1930​

2024 Business: Suite Nails by Dana

The Henry Rood portion of this building was built in 1862, making it the oldest part of Sun Prairie’s Downtown Historic District. Henry Rood operated a grocery store here, after which his sons Frank and James Rood converted it into a men’s clothing store. The building was expanded and modernized in 1930 for the Hillenbrand Company. In the 1950s and 1960s the building housed medical offices of Drs. Leo Peterson, Eugene Nelson, Joseph Behrend and William Russell.

^[1] Countryman (Sun Prairie) December 4th, 1902.