1890s Commerce

From the Market Street corner, continue your tour walking west back up Main Street.

After passing the 243 E. Main, the next 3 buildings were all built in 1897 and housed a number of different commercial establishments during the early 20th century, including the Bank of Sun Prairie and Trapp's Cash Bargain Store. Note the façade of the building at 239 E. Main St. embossed with "Hardware," boldly announcing the business of its original owner, Isaac D. Hayden.

The current occupant of 235 E. Main St. speaks to Sun Prairie’s early excitement associated with the emergence of the bicycle in the 1890s. Many bike races were held, the most notable being an annual bicycle race from Main Street in Sun Prairie, to Williamson Street in downtown Madison, a distance of 12 miles.^[1] The Wisconsin State Journal called the race “the event of the year” in 1895, with riders completing the route in just over 30 minutes. Prizes were offered by local businesses with a new $100 bicycle for the first-place winner, ranging down to a $3.50 box of cigars for lower places.^[2]

Scroll down for more detail on these buildings.

239 E. Main​

Historic Name: Isaac D. Hayden Building​

Constructed: 1897​

2023 Business: This address is not in use as a commercial business as of 2023.

Not much has changed on the façade of this building since it was built in 1897. As seen spelled out atop the building, this was originally a hardware store. Built by Isaac D. Hayden (unrelated to Thomas C. Hayden), the business was owned by his family until 1941. Various owners continued operating the hardware store until 1956 when Krause World Foods turned it into a grocery store that occupied the space until 1973. Krause was followed by Schweb’s World Food which closed in 1983.

235-237 E. Main​

Historic Name: Trapp’s Cash Store Building​

Constructed: 1897​

Current Business: Sun City Cyclery and Skates

The original occupant, Trapp’s Cash Bargain Store, lived up to its name by selling just about everything for cash only. It was owned by Charles A. Trapp and closed in 1937. The Engel and Kloster Bakeries were later located here.​

231-233 E. Main​

Historic Name: Thomas C. Hayden Block​

Constructed: 1897​

Current Business: Andy Eyers - State Farm

Thomas C. Hayden constructed this building in 1897 for the newly organized Hayden’s Bank of Sun Prairie. The bank occupied this building until 1929 when it moved to 200 E. Main. Schiller’s Jewelry store operated in this location from 1929 to 1964.​

^[1] Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) June 30th, 1897.

^[2] Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) July 26th, 1895.