Hoff Department Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hoff Department Store
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Hoff Department Store
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| Location | 101--103 Main St., Mount Horeb, Wisconsin |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Martin P. Schneider |
| Architectural style | Commercial Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000005 |
| Added to NRHP | February 14, 1989 |
The Hoff Department Store is a special building in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. It was built in 1916 and has a unique "Commercial Style" look. This large building takes up a whole block of Main Street. It used to be a very important store for the community.
Contents
A Look at the Store's History
Early Beginnings in Mount Horeb
The story of the Hoff Department Store began in 1866. A man named George Burrows opened a small general store. It was the very first business in the area, located at a spot called "The Corners."
This store was super important for the people living nearby. It sold food, tools, clothes, and even had the local post office!
Moving Closer to the Railroad
In 1881, something big happened: a railroad station was built. It was a bit away from "The Corners." Because of this, many businesses, including Burrows' store, moved closer to the new train station. This new spot is where the Hoff Department Store stands today.
Andrew Hoff Takes Over
In 1887, a Norwegian immigrant named Andrew Hoff and his brother-in-law, Adolph Elver, bought Burrows' store. They ran the store for many years. Mount Horeb kept growing, and so did the store's business.
In 1905, Andrew Hoff made the store bigger. Then, from 1916 to 1917, he completely rebuilt it. This is how the large brick building we see today came to be. The Hoff Department Store served the community for a long time, finally closing its doors in 1984.
A Historic Landmark
In 1989, the Hoff Department Store building was recognized as very important. It was added to both the State and the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special building that helps tell the story of the area.
