Architechtural Feature

 

Historic Preservation Committee
Responsible for safeguarding the City's historic and cultural heritage, and the development of public support and the location and identification of historic structures and historic distrricts. The Commission consists of seven members including one Council member. Members serve a three year term.

Historic Spotlight

December 2009
Fort Howard Guard House/William Vanderbrook House
410 Bond Street
 
410 Bond

1906 (photo courtesy of Maxine Dernehl)

For many years, the family of William Vanderbrook stated that their home at 410 Bond Street was originally part of the Fort Howard military complex. In 2009 historians accessed the home and determined that the manner of construction and details such as interior molding were consistent with original Fort Howard buildings at Heritage Hill State Park. Furthermore, photographs and maps of the Fort Howard site revealed many striking similarities with the home and the building known as the “Guard House” at the fort. It was concluded that this was an original c1833 building from Fort Howard.

410 Bondc1920s (photo courtesy of Maxine Dernehl)

Throughout 2009, efforts were made to salvage the building as it had been condemned with a Raze or Repair Order. In December 2009, Heritage Hill State Park began the process to salvage the original structure and relocate it to the park. Due to the efforts of many, this rare original Fort Howard structure was saved. Only one other building from the fort is known to exist: 410-412 N Maple Ave.

 

410 Bond, 2009 This building is listed as Record #1952 with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

November 2009
Brenner Candy Co. /Kittner’s
129 S WASHINGTON ST

 
Brenner Candy Company

Edward Kittner constructed this commercial building in 1880, with an upper addition sometime prior to 1903. The first occupant in the Kittner Building was Brenner Cando Co. in 1917, although other sources indicate they may have been located at this address around c1910. The first floor was used for shipping and offices; the second floor to make candy and roasting peanuts; and the third floor was also used for making candy, in addition to serving as a dry room. In 1934 it was purchased by Green Bay Specialty Co. as the manufacturer of men’s clothing. In 1969 it housed North Trail Sportswear Inc., and for well over a decade has been known as Kittner’s bar. 

Inscription on wall

Featuring a three-story brick façade and limestone foundation, this building remains largely intact. A postcard from c1910 advertising the Brenner Candy Co. features the front and south facades with painted advertising on the side of the building. The sign reads “Chew Ever Best Gum And Be Happy.” Amazingly, after nearly a century, this painted sign can still be seen on the building.

 

Photo from 2009 This building is listed as Record #2238 with the Wisconsin Historical Society.
October 2009
Mary Bhirdo Building
1106 Main Street
 

Historic

1106 Main

Built in 1894, this four-story building on Main Street has had numerous incarnations over its 115 year history. Originally owned by the Hagmeister Brewing Company, it its initial use was as the Columbia Hotel. City directories indicate it would be a hostelry for only four years, however. After 1898, the building would become a saloon and hall for approximately a decade. In 1907 its function changed once again—this time as the manufacturer of saddles and harnesses under the name “Krieger Saddlery Company.” In 1915 it would become the Thomas Overall Company. The 1929 City Directory lists four businesses in the building at the time: Green Bay Awning and Tent Company, the Hoslett Silk Company, Auto Top Shop, and Janet Sales Company. In the later part of the 20th century, the building returned to one of its earlier functions as a bar.

The structure is listed by the Wisconsin Historical Society as a “Fine, highly intact building with cut stone foundation,” with a “complex corbelled parapet with a fine metal cornice above bearing an embossed fleur-de-lis pattern.”

This building is listed as Record #2087 with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

September 2009
Xavier Martin House
728 Crooks Street
 

728 Crooks

728 Crooks

An endangered property, this home from c1867 remains a fine example of Greek Revival architecture in Green Bay. Despite being designated as historic by the Green Bay City Council on February 3, 2009, it faces an uncertain future. It has been condemned and is in need of restoration work to preserve its integrity. Architecturally, this front gabled house has eared wooden surrounds on all front-facing windows, and a large segmented arched entrance with paneled side walls and an insert entrance door featuring a transom window. The house currently has asbestos siding covering what is believed to be the original clapboard underneath. Sanborn-Perris fire maps from the 19th and 20th century indicates a porch spanning the entire front of the home that was later removed.

This building is listed as Record #30398 with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

July 2009
803 Cherry Street
 

803 Cherry Street

Gargoyle at 803 Cherry St

Constructed in c1860, this home is a fine example of Second Empire style architecture of which there are few extant examples remaining in Green Bay. This property marks the end of a two block grouping of buildings on Cherry Street which date back to the 1860s (others include 815 and 901 Cherry Street, both dating to 1863).

Records pertaining to the original builder of this home have not yet been uncovered.  City Directory and census records show previous owners to include a C.S. Avery in 1874, and Maurice Rosemon in 1910.

The home is typical of Second Empire style architecture with semi-circular dormers projecting from a mansard roof, supported by carved brackets. The first floor includes windows with segmented arched openings and a splayed wood paneled entrance with transom window. Sanborn-Perris maps from 1900 indicate a porch in the rear of the residence that was later removed.
The Wisconsin Historical Society lists this property as being a good candidate for the National Register of Historic Places, and a potentially endangered property due to the encroachment of commercial redevelopment directly across the street.

This building is listed as Record #1986 with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

June 2009
Wainwright Glove Co./Fabry Glove Co.
1232 E. Walnut Street
 
Wainwright Glove Co

Originally bearing the address of 1238 E. Walnut St., this former factory was built by the Wainwright Glove Company in 1907. The two and a half story structure is made of brick with a limestone foundation, flat tin roof, and segmental arched windows.

Although the companies occupying the building changed over the years, it remained a glove factory for roughly sixty years, being occupied by Davis Glove (1920—1940), and Fabry Glove (1940—1963). In 1967 the first floor was utilized by Van Lanen Lytie Printing Co. Since 1972 it has been used as apartments.

This building is listed as Record #2222 with the Wisconsin Historical Society.