615 N Commercial - Emporia Downtown Historic District - Emporia, Ks.
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iconions
N 38° 24.341 W 096° 10.819
14S E 746213 N 4254593
This two-story red brick building is located at 615 N Commercial in Emporia, Ks.
Waymark Code: WMMAED
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 08/21/2014
Views: 3
From the National Register application:
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"Commercial Building Status: Contributing
Address: 615 N COMMERCIAL ST
Date of Construction: 1885 (Estimated); 1910 (Estimated)
Parcel ID: 192-10-0-30-42-009.00-0
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade - Specialty Store
Current Function: Commerce/Trade - Specialty Store
Architectural Classification: Commercial Style
"Description: This brick two-part commercial block occupies a double-width lot. The building is six bays wide. Upper-story fenestration defines the bays, which each contain the historic one-over-one wood windows with transoms behind non-historic screens. A non-historic storefront occupies the first story and includes: an aluminum-framed storefront system with large display windows; a single, recessed double-leaf entrance with full-light doors; and a painted metal panel covering the original storefront transom opening. Historic character-defining features include: the decorative brick dentilation on the parapet wall; the band of stucco cladding on the upper façade wall that suggests the former location of an original projecting metal cornice; the recessed rectangular brick panels in the upper façade wall over each bay; the stone lintels; and the stone belt course below the upper-story windows that forms a continuous sill.
History:
This parcel was minimally developed by 1884, when it housed a small two-story sewing machine shop on the south and a two-story dwelling on the north. A new two-story commercial building was built on this parcel between 1884 and 1888, when it housed a picture-framing shop on the south and queensware and grocery on the north. In 1893, the north store housed the "Western Conservatory of Music" and a racket and notions shop. The smaller south store housed a millinery. The racket store had expanded south into the millinery space by 1899. The façade was updated in the Commercial Style in ca. 1910. In 1911, the racket store occupied the entire first floor. There was a music hall on the second floor.
Integrity:
Although the storefront has been modified, it is mostly open with large display windows and a recessed entrance. It is classified as a contributor.