HomeMy WebLinkAbout52-01057_24-26 S Clinton_RacinesNo3Site Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-01057 New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
(December 1, 1999) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Racine's Cigar Store No. 3
other names/site number Brown's Smoke Shop, Prince's Flower Shop
2. Location
street & number 24-26 S. Clinton Street
city or town Iowa City vicinity, county Johnson
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Original Town Block(s) 80 Lot(s) Part of 5 & 6
3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section]
4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section]
5. Classification
Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site
buildings 1
buildings
structure
sites
sites
object
structures
structures
objects
objects
Total 1
Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
Iowa City Central Business District Study - 2017 UPDATE 52-127
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
02E COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store 02G02 COMMERCE/TRADE/restaurant/bar
01B DOMESTIC/multiple dwelling
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
09F05 COMMERCIAL/Brick Front foundation 04 STONE
walls 03 BRICK
roof
other Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
County Johnson Address 24-26 S. Clinton Street Site Number 52-01057
City Iowa City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates
Construction date
05 COMMERCE 1874 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
unknown Builder
unknown
Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References (OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1
2
3
4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Alexa McDowell, Historian
organization AKAY Consulting date 12/2017
street & number 4252 Oakland Avenue telephone 515-491-5432
city or town Minneapolis state MN zip code 55407
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
This 2-story, double-wide, brick commercial building was built in ca.1874 – first appearing on fire insurance
maps in that year.
As described in 2001, this mid-block commercial building contains two storefronts on the lower level with a
combination of apartments and office spaces located on the second floor. In 2001, the north storefront (24) had a
recessed entrance on the right side with a large window to the left, permastone cladding on the foundation, and
channel cut siding covering the balance of the opening. The south storefront (26) had a recessed entrance on the
left side with a series of shop windows to the right, and a curved awning extending across the full storefront. A
staircase to the upper level was noted as centered between the north and south storefronts (Svendsen, 2001).
Regarding the upper façade, the 2001 description notes that six evenly spaced window openings that originally
contained double-hung sash were filled with 2-over-1 (casement over fixed sash) with fixed curved awnings
above. The original arches had been replaced with flat tops, but originally contained a segmental or semi-circular
arch. The cornice contains several corbeled courses of brick in geometric patterns with no wood or metal
moldings. A fire escape system was located on the front façade, above the south storefront. The façade measures
44.5’ with an irregular combination of masonry and frame appendages at the rear. Façade alterations were
completed prior to 1981 (Svendsen, 2001).
Additional renovations of the building’s façade were undertaken subsequent to the 2001 evaluation. The ground
level remains divided into two storefronts with a unified visual character created through the use of common
design elements and materials. The storefront level is clad in solid, dark panels (likely metal) with large display
glass incorporated into the design. The former transom area, while blocked where it was historically glazed,
serves as the location for signage. The storefront cornice is retained though deteriorated. In 2017, the north
storefront interior (24) is integrated with The Airliner (adjacent on the north) with primary entrance to that
bar/restaurant made via 22 S. Clinton. A secondary entrance to The Airliner is incorporated into the storefront at
24 S. Clinton; it is off-set near the south edge of the storefront. Despite the integration of the interior spaces, the
storefront at 24 S. Clinton retains its visual relationship with its historic partner at 26 S. Clinton. The south
storefront (26) is occupied by Cortado, a restaurant. The primary entrance to that storefront is off-set near the
north edge of the storefront and is recessed. Access to the upper story remains in the historic location near the
center of the building (it is legally associated with the north storefront).
The upper façade has likewise been renovated subsequent to the 2001 survey – the alteration being specific to the
replacement of windows, which are currently 2-over-2 in configuration, with the operation (likely single-hung)
undetermined. Although the head of the replacement windows are flat (in contrast to the historic arched shape),
the opening headers retain their historic arched form, with turned bricks. Evidence of brick repair is seen above
each of the windows, but the nature or reason for that repair is undetermined – perhaps related to damage from the
earlier removal of the ornamental window hoods. Brick repair is also evident in the cornice and isolated areas of
the upper wall. Because the upper wall was painted pre-1981, all of the brick repair is more noticeable than it
would be otherwise.
It should be noted that the recent façade renovations related to both storefront and upper story positively impacted
the visual character relative to the 2001 appearance.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 01. View of the streetscape within which the building is located, looking NE across S. Clinton Street.
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Image 02. View of the façade (west elevation), looking east across S. Clinton Street
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
8. Statement of Significance
Racine’s Cigar Store No. 3 is located directly opposite Old Capitol, a National Historic Landmark, and the
Pentacrest, a National Register historic district. As was determined in 2001, the resource is a poorly preserved
example of the commercial form built in c.1874. Despite the recent renovations which are more historically
sympathetic than those represented in the 2001 evaluation, the building’s appearance has been significantly
diminished by multiple alterations and, as a result, the building is not eligible for the National Register under
Criterion C, neither individually nor as a contributing resource with significance derived from association with
architecture. However, because the building retains its overall form and scale, historic upper story window
openings with original sills (windows themselves being non-historic and window hoods removed), brick cornice,
and the recent renovations more sensitively representative of the historic storefront level, the building retains
sufficient historic integrity to be considered a contributing resource to a potential historic district under Criterion
A in association with the history of commerce.
Beginning in the 1870s, the building’s storefronts have been occupied by retail enterprises representative of the
evolution of the city’s downtown commercial practices – dry goods, “shoes & boots,” and “hats & caps” being
among the long list of businesses located in the building. Beginning in ca.1909, the north storefront began its long
occupation by a smoke shop, the most notable in a string of proprietors being Racine’s Cigar Store No. 3, which
conducted business there from ca.1922-ca.1943. Along with the larger contribution made by Fred Racine and his
multiple shops, the numerous local businesses and the building they occupied are part of the city’s commercial
history and as such play a role in our understanding of that historical context.
Historical Background
As originally laid out, Clinton Street provided a series of lots facing onto “Capitol Square.” This commercial
building appears to date from prior to 1874 when a building of similar dimensions was first depicted on a fire
insurance map. Property transfer records for this property show it owned by E.C. Lyon prior to the Civil War and
remaining in the Lyon family until the mid-1940s. Myra Byers acquired the property in 1945 (Svendsen, 2001).
Through the years, several businesses filled the first floor shop spaces and upper level. Fire insurance maps show
a boot and shoe shop (24) and a hat and cap shop (26) in 1874, a book and stationery shop (24) from 1879 through
1899 and a dry goods store (26) from 1879 through 1888, a clothing store (26) in 1892, a cigar and pool parlor
(24) from 1906 to 1920, a book and stationery store (26) from 1906 to 1912, a florist (26) 1920, and a printing
business on the upper level in 1944 (Svendsen, 2001). An accounting of historical occupants is included in the
references cited section of this site form.
Beginning in ca.1909, the north storefront began its long occupation by a smoke shop, the most notable in a string
of proprietors being Racine’s Cigar Store No. 3, which conducted business there from ca.1922-ca.1943. From
ca.1926-ca.1943, Racine’s occupied both storefronts and, from ca.1928-ca.1940 the business stretched into the
adjacent storefront at 22 S. Clinton. In addition to Store No. 3, Fred Racine operated his combined cigar
store/soda fountain/billiard parlor enterprises at 132 E. Washington (Store No. 1), 131 E. Washington (Store No.
2), with Store No. 4 located in the Jefferson Hotel.
As noted in 2001, city directories confirm several book and stationery stores along this stretch of S. Clinton Street
prior to 1900 including Allin, Wilson & Smith in 1878-79, Lee, Welch and Co. in the north half of this building
(24) in 1890- 1892, Lee Bros. & Co. in 1893-94. In 1904, F.F. Cerny and Eda Louis operated a bookstore here
under the name of “Cerny & Louis.” Also worth noting, the Iowa Book Store, operated by John Ries, was located
in the south storefront from ca.1904-ca.1911.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 01. Fire Insurance Map – 1874
(SOURCE: Sanborn Fire Insurance Company, 1874.)
The 1874 fire insurance map depicts a pair of side-by-side, two-story buildings at this location. At this time, and through at
least 1899, there was no interior access between the halves. Historic images and consistent footprints over time support the
assertion that the present building is that depicted on the 1874 map. As a result, it is asserted that the building was
constructed prior to the 1874 map. In this year, a “boots & shoes” store occupied the north storefront and a “hats & caps”
store was located on the south.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 02. Fire Insurance Map – 1906
(SOURCE: Sanborn Fire Insurance Company, 1906.)
The bays of the building remained unconnected on the interior through at least 1899. By the time of the survey for the 1906
fire insurance map, the interiors were connected on the second floor. The additions on the rear of each bay appeared in
gradually larger footprints beginning in 1883 on the north bay and 1888 on the south bay.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 03. Historic Image: View looking SE along S. Clinton Street – ca.1880
(Image courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
This view of the east side of S. Clinton Street provides a good view of the building within a decade or so of its construction.
Note the cornice and the placement and size of the upper story windows with sills – retained today. Signage above the
storefronts notes the south storefront (26) was occupied by a “hats & caps” store. That in the north storefront isn’t legible.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 04. Historic Image: View looking SE along S. Clinton Street – ca.1980
(Image courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
In this view from ca.1980 we get an idea of the condition of the façade alterations that appear to have remained in place
through 2001 when Svendsen described the building. Recent renovations have replaced the upper story windows with more
historically sympathetic versions and restored a sense of visual cohesion to the storefronts.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
9. Major Bibliographic References (2001)
Iowa City city directories.
Property Transfer Records, Johnson County Auditor’s Office.
Tax Assessor’s Records, City of Iowa City Assessor.
Summary Sheets, 24 and 26 South Clinton, Urban Revitalization Act Study Area Survey, 1981.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
2017: References
Iowa City Public Library. Digital Photograph collection. http://history.icpl.org.
Iowa City Then & Now. Publisher unknown.
Mansheim, Gerald. Iowa City: an illustrated history. Norfolk, VA: The Donning Company, 1989.
State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowa City. Photograph Collection.
Slonneger, Marybeth. Finials: A View of Downtown Iowa City. Iowa City: Hand Press, 2015.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Survey and Evaluation of the Central Business District.” Prepared for the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission, 2001.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “24-26 S. Clinton Street: 52-01057.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Timeline: 24-26 S. Clinton Street
1901 City Directory:
24 Cerny & Louis, bookstore
26(-30) Bloom & Mayer, merchant tailors (see 52-01058 and 52-01059)
1904 City Directory:
24 Cerny & Louis, bookstore
26 Iowa Book Store (John T. Ries, proprietor)
1909 City Directory:
24 Brown’s Smoke Shop
26 Iowa Book Store (John T. Ries, proprietor)
1911 City Directory:
24 Clinton St. Smoke House
24-1/2 Vacant
26 Iowa Book Store (John T. Ries, proprietor)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 9
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
1915 City Directory:
24 Brown Bros./Brown’s Smoke House
26 Prince’s Flower Shop
26-1/2 Hemmingson & Adamson
Joseph L. Maginnis
Commercial Print Shop
(Iowa Book Store at 30 S. Clinton)
1918 City Directory:
24 Brown’s Smoke House/Wm. O.L. Brown
24-1/2 Hal W. Short
26 Prince’s Flower Shop/Prince’s Parcel Service
26-1/2 University Typewriter Co.
U. Gene Adamson
Commercial Print Shop
1919 City Directory:
24 Wm. O.L. Brown, cigars
24-1/2 Albert Heid
Loretta M. Scheetz
J. Marquerite Scheetz
26 Al G. Prince, florist and parcel delivery
26-1/2 Albert T. Presson
Commercial Print Shop
1922 City Directory:
24 Racines Cigar Store
24-1/2 Mrs Ethel E. Heid
Loretta M. Scheetz
Marguerite M.J. Scheetz
26 Prince’s Flower Shop/Prince’s Parcel Delivery
26-1/2 Mrs. Tela Matthess
Commercial Print Shop
1924 City Directory:
24 Racine’s Cigar Store
24-1/2 Lloyd H. Harmon
Mrs. Ethel E. Heid
Dewane L. Buchanan
26 Prince’s Flower Shop/Prince’s Parcel Delivery
26-1/2 Dolly Henderson
Noble F. Spitler
1926 City Directory:
24 Racine’s Cigar Store No. 3 (p. 243)
24-1/2 Mrs. Ethel B. Heid
26 No listing (Prince’s Flower Shop at 111 S. Dubuque)
26-1/2 No listing
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 10
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
1928 City Directory:
24-26 (22-24-26) Racine’s Cigar Store No. 3
24-1/2 James M. Bradley
Lawrence N. Slaybaugh
26-1/2 C. DeHaan Co.
1930 City Directory:
24-26 (22-24-26) Racine’s Cigar Store No. 3
24-1/2 Lawrence N. Slaybaugh
James M. Bradley
Mrs. Irene Dever
26-1/2 C. DeHaan & Co.
1932 City Directory:
24-26 (22-24-26) Racine’s Cigar Store No. 3
24-1/2 Lawrence N. Slaybaugh, barber
Jas. M. Bradley, printer
Campus Beauty Shop
26-1/2 C. DeHaan & Co., dental supplies
1940 City Directory:
24-26 (22-24-26) Racine’s Cigar Store No. 3
24-1/2 Slays Barber Shop
Bradley Print Shop
Campus Beauty Shop
26-1/2 C. DeHaan Dental Supply Co.
Ellis Advertising Co., signs
1943 City Directory:
24-26 Racine’s Cigar Store No. 3
24-1/2 Ward Coulter, barber
Bradley Print Shop
Campus Beauty Shoppe
26-1/2 No listing
1946 City Directory:
24-26 Kadera’s Cigar Store
24-1/2 Ward Coulter, barber
Bradley Print Shop
Campus Beauty Shoppe
26-1/2 No listing
1949 City Directory:
24 The Uptowner, restaurant
24-1/2 Ward Coulter, barber
Bradley Print Shop
Campus Beauty Shoppe
26 The Smoke Shop
26-1/2 No listing
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01057
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 11
Racine's Cigar Store No. 3 Johnson
Name of Property County
24-26 S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Legal Description: W 96’ & S 26.5’ of Lot 5 and W 96’ & N 20’ of Lot 6.
Assessor: 24 PIN 1010311020
26 PIN 1010311021
Latitude/Longitude: 41.660703/-91.534365
Parcel Map - 2017
LINN202-214
24-26
20-22
14
DUBUQUEWA SHINGTON
IOWA
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21624510
6 2191312
2202
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