423-425 N Commercial - Emporia Downtown Historic District - Emporia, Ks.
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iconions
N 38° 24.213 W 096° 10.821
14S E 746217 N 4254356
This two-story buff brick building is located at 423-425 N Commercial in Emporia, Ks.
Waymark Code: WMMADQ
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 08/21/2014
Views: 1
From the National Register application:
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"Commercial Building Status: Contributing
Address: 423-425 N COMMERCIAL ST
Date of Construction: 1880 (Estimated); 1910 (Estimated)
Parcel ID: 1951502014017000
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade - Specialty Store
Current Function: Commerce/Trade - Professional
Architectural Classification: Late 19th & Early 20th Century Classical Revival
Description:
This brick two-part commercial block occupies a double-width lot. The upper-story fenestration defines four bays, each containing the historic paired one-over-one wood windows with transoms above. The two original first-story storefront openings each reflect mid-to-late twentieth century remodels. The north storefront has a high-set narrow, horizontal window and an aluminum-framed entrance door at the south end surrounded by salmon-colored brick infill distinguished by long, narrow brick units that project slightly in an asymmetrical pattern. The south storefront has polished granite panels cladding the transom opening and buff brick infill surrounding a high-set narrow, horizontal window and a flush entrance at the south end. A visor awning spans the top of the south storefront. Historic character-defining features present include: the cream-colored projecting terra cotta cornice; the decorative brick work in the form of dentils and rectangular panels over each window; the five short, engaged brick piers with stone capitals and bases between each bay on the upper-façade wall; the ashlar stone window lintels and keystones and flared corner blocks; the beige and brown brick facing on the upper-façade wall; the vertical brick recesses flanking each upper-story window; and the continuous stone windowsills forming a belt course below the upper-story windows.
History:
There were two two-story buildings here by 1884, a boot and shoe store with dentist's office on the south end and a drug store and offices on the north. By 1888, by which time the south building had been expanded west to match the west elevation of the building to the north, the buildings housed a drug store and dry goods store. There was a drug store on the south and music store on the north in 1893. The drug store remained in 1893, 1905, 1911 at which time the north store housed a millinery. The drug store was still there in 1946. The ca. 1910 construction date derives from this building’s design, which falls in the evolution between the Italianate, Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne styles of the late nineteenth century and the Commercial Style that predominated from 1910 to 1930.
Integrity:
This building is classified as a contributor because the upper level retains a high degree of integrity. Although the lower level has been infilled, the infill itself falls within the district’s period of significance."