Menomonie Downtown Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Menomonie Downtown Historic District
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![]() A portion of the district.
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Location | Roughly bounded by Main and Crescent Sts., Fifth St., Wilson, and Second St. and Broadway, Menomonie, Wisconsin |
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Area | 8.3 acres (3.4 ha) |
NRHP reference No. | 86001667 |
Added to NRHP | July 14, 1986 |
The Menomonie Downtown Historic District is a special area in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It's like a time capsule, showing off many old and important buildings. These buildings help us understand what the town was like long ago.
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What is a Historic District?
A historic district is a group of buildings, structures, or other features that are important because of their history or architecture. When an area becomes a historic district, it means these buildings are protected. This helps keep their unique look and story alive for future generations.
Exploring Menomonie's Historic Buildings
The Menomonie Downtown Historic District has many interesting buildings. They were built in different styles over the years. This shows how architecture changed as the town grew.
Famous Buildings and Their Styles
- Lucas Block (1883): This building shows the Italianate style. Italianate buildings often have tall, narrow windows and decorative brackets under the roof.
- First National Bank (1888): Another example of the Italianate style. Banks often had grand designs to show strength and trust.
- Mabel Tainter Memorial (1889): This building is very unique. It was built as a memorial and community center.
- Bowman Hall (1897): You can see the Richardsonian Romanesque style here. This style uses heavy stone, round arches, and often has towers.
- Schutte & Quilling Bank (1907): This building features Neoclassical architecture. Neoclassical buildings often look like ancient Greek or Roman temples, with columns and grand entrances.
- U.S. Post Office (1913): Another example of the Neoclassical style. Many public buildings from this time used this grand design.
- Knights of Pythias Hall (1924): This building shows the Art Deco style. Art Deco was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It uses geometric shapes, bold lines, and often decorative patterns.
Why Are These Buildings Important?
These buildings are important because they tell the story of Menomonie. They show how people lived, worked, and built their community over many years. Protecting them helps us learn about the past.
National Register of Historic Places
The Menomonie Downtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This is a special list kept by the United States government. It includes places that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Being on this list helps protect these historic sites. The district was also added to the State Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin in 1989.