Institution

John Graef was a
business associate of A.N. Wegener. Together, they operated a cigar rolling
business located in the north half of the double commercial block (160-64 N.
Third) directly west of this site. This single storefront commercial building
appears to have been built in 1902 as an addition to this larger commercial
block on the rear lot owned by John Grieson. It was linked to the larger
building and the first story was used for a meat market. This two-story,
painted brick, commercial building is quite well maintained and has one of the
few intact, early storefronts within the District. The handsomely proportioned
facade has a broad central window, at the second level, flanked by narrower
ones - all three beneath a curved drip mold. It is crowned with an entablature
of pressed metal which appears to be supported by implied pilasters which frame
the second story. The storefront columns are of cast iron. This is one of the
few relatively unaltered commercial structures within the District.1

Source: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI50022

Web page: Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory

Website

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The National Register of Historic Places Third Avenue/Downtown Historic District is of historical significance because it is associated with the developing and maturing of the city of Sturgeon Bay as the traditional focus of commercial activity within the community and the region. It is of architectural significance because it is the most intact and representational grouping of late 19th and early 20th Century commercial and civic buildings in Sturgeon Bay. It is not characterized by any dominant architectural style but reflects a wide variety of traditional commercial building modes common throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest during the decades that bracket the turn of the century. Few of these buildings have been substantially eroded, and many examples both of anonymous craftsmanship and the use of distinctive local limestone remain. 

This is Part 2 of a two-part tour of the District.

History -

The building was completed in 1939 as a
museum.&nbsp; It was&nbsp;during the Great Depression&nbsp;and was built as a
WPA project during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.&nbsp; Long before
this time a local man, Harry Dankoler, began collecting things that were old,
realizing the importance of saving the parts of history so that others might always
be able to appreciate it. At the same time,
another Door County resident, Hjalmar Holand, also with a great interest in
history, was busy preserving the written memories of the
County.&nbsp;&nbsp;With the backing of the newly formed Door County Historical
Society, they worked to provide the basis for this museum.&nbsp; Early photos
show it as it was - the typical museum of its time with shelves and shelves of
old things being preserved, but not necessarily interpreted as is done today. Some of the unique things on display at the museum include:Pioneer
Fire Company -The museum's fire station is a replica of the
turn-of-the-century building that served Sturgeon Bay's original "Pioneer
Fire Company".&nbsp; It houses three fully restored trucks and
fire-fighting artifacts.&nbsp; Children of all ages may sit on the replicas. You
will also find other larger displays including a jail cell from the vacated
jail building and an old horse drawn hearse.Orchards - &nbsp;Door County has been
known for its apple and cherry orchards for years.&nbsp; Why is it that Door
County is well suited for these crops?&nbsp; Why not Kewaunee or Brown Counties
to the south?&nbsp; Learn of the earliest beginnings of this business and see
some of the equipment used in the growing and processing of these fruits.&nbsp;Ethnic History -The majority of the original European settlers
came to Door County in the mid to late 1800s during Wisconsin’s early statehood
years.&nbsp; There were, however many native peoples who had settled here much
earlier.&nbsp;Many groups brought their traditions with them.&nbsp; Which of
them began the fish boils that have now become famous? Learn more about early
settlers at the museum.War History -&nbsp;Like all areas of our
country, many&nbsp;Door County men&nbsp;served during the several wars in our
history.&nbsp;Folk Craft -In the days when
shopping was not as convenient, many crafts were done by both men and women.Door
County had its share of them and many examples left by these artisans are on
display at the museum.Wildlife Diorama -&nbsp;Mike Orthober, national
award winning artist and taxidermist, created a spectacular natural history
wildlife diorama.&nbsp; It encompasses four seasons and features a life-sized
beech tree along with native species including over 100 birds, white-tailed
deer, bear, badger, fisher and more.&nbsp;New -&nbsp;A phone app for a walking/driving tour of Sturgeon
Bay’s remaining incised sidewalk stones.&nbsp; The incised cement blocks were
originally installed in the early 1900s, on corners to mark street names or in
front of local homes or businesses. &nbsp;They are a part of our history that
is slowly disappearing when sidewalks are replaced.&nbsp; Also included on the
app is a short history of original homes located nearby.&nbsp;The lower level of the
museum features a street scene that includes storefronts and rooms representing
many early Door County businesses such as a seamstress, grocery, Blacksmith,
pharmacy, bank, printer, dime store, music shop, photo shop, post office and
schoolhouse. You will also find a display of Old fashion equipment.

The Door County Historical Museum was founded in 1939 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The original building was built as a project of the Works Progress Administration, one of the government-led Great Depression work programs. The basis for the museum's collection came from two men, Harry Dankoler and Hjalmar Holand. Dankoler was a collector historical items from the area and Holand preserved written memories of people in the county. The Door County Historical Society acquired the men's work and opened the museum. The museum has expanded over years and now includes several exhibits such as the wildlife diorama, the replica 1900 Pioneer Fire Company building which houses three restored trucks, and a typical Door County street scene featuring a school, grocer, pharmacy, etc. Admission to the museum is free.

 

Door County Historical Museum

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160-164 North 3rd Avenue

Several frame
structures existed on this site prior to 1890. It appears that one or more of
these were veneered c1890 with brick and a similarly veneered minor addition
was built thus forming the mass of the building seen today. Mitchell F.
Laplante came to Sturgeon Bay in 1878. He was a barber and, apparently occupied
the larger north half of the building, sharing it with a news stand. A
millinery shop was in the other storefront. Similar uses are found in the
building today. This building is a six bay, double commercial block two stories
in height and built of now painted brick. The ornate entablature is of
corbelled brick. This accents the otherwise unadorned facade. The storefronts
are of wood with iron columns and extend, curiously, about two feet out from
the line of the primary facade. This building is of architectural significance
as having one of the few unaltered storefronts within the District and because
of the craftsmanship shown in its brickwork.1

148-154 North 3rd Avenue

136 North 3rd Avenue

120-130 North 3rd Avenue

110-114 North 3rd Avenue

109-113 North 3rd Avenue

117 North 3rd Avenue

125 North 3rd Avenue

129 North 3rd Avenue

135 North 3rd Avenue

When this
building was constructed in 1890, the south half (139) was owned by the Shimmel
family. Mr. Shimmel was involved in the tailoring business. The other half
(147) was owned by Thomas Gillespie, a furniture dealer. This double commercial
block is accented by handsomely crafted, corbelled brickwork detailing at the
frieze below the cornice and at the architrave over the storefront openings.
Here, arcades and shallow brackets link implied pilasters. This feature is the
best and most exuberant example of this type of anonymous craftsmanship within
the District. The original storefronts have been substantially modified but
these changes have been made within the original masonry openings.1

139-147 North 3rd Avenue

151-155 North 3rd Avenue

The building had
been in continuous use as a hardware store until 1979. An ornately
detailed entablature and cornice of corbelled brickwork provides a hint of
Classical Revival detailing to this otherwise plain but visually prominent,
corner building. Of cream-colored brick, trimmed with limestone sills and
lintels, the building retains its original storefront opening although modern
materials have been used in recent modifications. The primary facade is six
bays wide with the brickwork forming implied pilasters separating the two outer
hays. The building extends the full depth of the lot and a side entry faces
Kentucky Street. A smaller addition to the rear, built with similar materials
and designed with similar detailing, was built as a tin shop in 1901.

165 North 3rd Avenue

The Bank of
Sturgeon Bay/Scofield Block was constructed in the years 1899/1900 on the site
of the A.C. Meacham House, a large brick residence built in the 1880s. H.C.
Schofield was one of the most important individuals in Sturgeon Bay. He was
involved in local politics and served as a mayor of Sturgeon Bay. This massive
corner building is of grey, local limestone laid in alternating width courses
as rock-faced ashlar. In keeping with the obdurate character of this stone, the
detailing and trim is not carved but is built up of smaller blocks to form
classical ornament. A modillioned cornice treatment, a gable over a former side
entrance, and the semicircular arches over the corner (bank) windows and entry
show this technique. An original, embattled corner clock tower has been removed
and other modifications to the north storefront (hardware company) have been
made within the original masonry opening. This prominent corner building is the
largest and most handsomely detailed building of local
limestone within the District. It is the only building within the
District that can be attributed to the Sturgeon Bay architect Fred D. Crandall
(1859-1936) who designed several other city buildings in this material and
in this style.1

BANK OF STURGEON BAY/SCOFIELD BLOCK, 1899/1900

211 North 3rd Avenue

N.R. Lee came to
Sturgeon Bay in 1858 and worked in the "Lower Mill". He served in
32nd Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War and, in 1867/68, had Delano Kimber
construct this house for Lee and his wife. At that time, Lee ran a hotel. When
Mrs. Lee died in 1872, the house was sold. This is the
earliest extant building located within the District and, like many others, has
been added on to many times. It has now been adapted for commercial use and a
recent addition links the original house with a stable or coach house which was
built about 1880. There is evidence of some Greek Revival style influence in
the window lintels and in the broad fascia beneath the eave overhang. The wing
to the south was originally one story high. A second story was added and the
porch substantially modified in the then popular Classical Revival style in
about 1905. The recent addition is in sympathy with the early architectural
character of the original house. This house is an excellent example of the type
of smaller, residential building of wood that was once common throughout the
District before commercial development intensified.1

158 North 2nd Avenue

This property has
a history of divided ownership until 1889 when L.N. Washburn -the foreman of
the Sturgeon Bay Lumber Company - acquired a unified title. A.W. Lawrence, Sr.
constructed the original house on this site in 1868/1869. Lawrence was one of
the pioneer entrepreneurs in the Sturgeon Bay area. He was connected with
lumbering, commerce, manufacturing, and banking. He sold the house to Washburn,
who managed Lawrence's store, in 1880. This large, two-story dwelling is of
frame construction with white painted bevel siding. It has been modified
several times over the years but it still retains the architectural character
of the turn of the century. This building was originally linked, in the manner
of a so-called "Connecticut barn", to a woodshed and a stable which
is still standing. Subsequent modifications included, by 1911, the addition of
a simply detailed veranda topped by a plainly detailed balustrade. This house,
now converted to commercial use, is an excellent example of the type of large
residential building of wood that was once common throughout the District
before commercial development intensified.1

116 North 2nd Avenue

132 North 2nd Avenue

DOOR COUNTY LIBRARY - STURGEON BAY BRANCH

Sturgeon Bay Third Avenue Historic District Tour - Part 2

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Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information