HomeMy WebLinkAbout52-01069_130 S Clinton_ThingsSite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-01069 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 Things & Things & Things
other names/site number
2. Location
street & number 130 (138) 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) 81 Lot(s) part of 5
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 02E COMMERCE/TRADE/Specialty Store
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
01 NO STYLE foundation 10 CONCRETE
walls 15H Synthetics/Synthetic stucco
roof 17 OTHER
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 130 (138) S. Clinton Street Site Number 52-01069
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
01 ARCHITECTURE 1970 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
07 COMMUNITY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
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 10/2017
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 52-01069
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Things & Things & Things Johnson
Name of Property County
130 (138) S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
The Things & Things & Things building is a 2-story, mid-block commercial building built in 1970 as the first of
the urban renewal constructions in the downtown. The building replaced two, early 20th century commercial
buildings that were destroyed by fire in January 1970.
The building’s visual character is indicative of its 1970 construction date, particularly in its fully glazed façade,
steel framing, concrete block side walls, back wall of the façade (visible through the glazing) of exposed concrete
and brick, and stepped form. The glazed façade terminates with a corrugated shed roof that slopes back to meet a
narrow metal cornice – a 1970 image (Image 03) indicates that the current roof sheathing is not the original,
which lacked corrugation. A double entrance is recessed and located on-center. With the exception the change in
roofing material, the building retains a high level of historic integrity specific to the façade. The interior integrity
has not been evaluated.
In 2017, the Things & Things & Things building remains without apparent alteration from the description
provided in 2001. The building is currently occupied by Endeavors.
Image 01. View of the streetscape within which the building is located, looking east across S. Clinton Street.
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01069
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Things & Things & Things Johnson
Name of Property County
130 (138) S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 02. View of the façade (west elevation), looking southeast from S. Clinton Street
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
8. Statement of Significance
This commercial building faces Old Capitol Mall one block south of the Pentacrest, a National Register historic
district located on the campus of the University of Iowa. Built in 1970, Things & Things & Things was the first
building constructed as part of the Iowa City urban renewal program, which resulted in the loss of dozens of
historic buildings and reoriented the historic character of the city’s Central Business District. As such the building
derives significance under Criterion A in that historic association. Further, the building is considered significant
under Criterion C as a well-preserved example of mid-20th century commercial architecture, which departed from
the historic precedents that typify 19th and 20th century downtowns of Iowa. The Things & Things & Things
building is considered a contributing resource to a potential historic district.
As a resource less than 50-years of age, the building meets Criterion Consideration G in association with the Iowa
City urban renewal program. While construction of this building occurred as a result of loss of the previous
building to fire, its construction was locally reported along with updates on the urban renewal planning and
implementation process – being called out specifically as the first building constructed as part of the program.
Iowa City program of urban renewal is representative of the nationwide movement that transformed downtown
commercial areas by razing large swathes of buildings and replacing them with new buildings, parking lots,
parking ramps, and other features designed to restore economic vitality to communities in economic distress. The
process of urban renewal left scars – both physical and psychological – in towns large and small. That was
certainly the experience in Iowa City, where urban renewal created wide and painful schisms that remain to this
day. However, in some cases and to varying degrees, urban renewal did indeed support stronger economies and
bring new amenities to downtowns. Things & Things & Things is an important piece in the history of Iowa City
commerce and commercial architecture, specifically as a representative of the impact of urban renewal.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01069
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Things & Things & Things Johnson
Name of Property County
130 (138) S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
Historical Background
As originally laid out, this section of Block 81 provided a series of lots facing onto College Street. However, the
strong attraction of “Capitol Square” created the presence of east and west facing buildings along the Clinton
Street corridor that faced the Square. The Things & Things & Things building at 130 S. Clinton was the first
major construction in the Iowa City urban renewal area. The store opened in December 1970.
Things & Things & Things at this location appears to have been the third iteration of the business; the earlier
stores are sometimes referred to in advertisements as Things & Things Part 1 & 2 One of the Things stores was
located at 125 S. Dubuque Street. The business continued to advertise that location through February of 1970
(Advertisement, Iowa City Press-Citizen, February 05, 1970: 9), but closed its doors 10 days prior to relocating to
the “as yet completed” Clinton Street store in December of 1970 (“Local Store Damaged In Fire,” Iowa City
Press-Citizen, December 21, 1970: 1).
In addition to the store on S. Dubuque, business owner Tom Wegman had a Things & Things & Things store in
the former Pusateri Fruit Store building at 128 S. Clinton Street. That building burned on January 20, 1970 – a
blaze that also destroyed the adjacent building housing the Paper Place (Irving Weber, “Sicilians operated Iowa
City’s early fruit stores,” Iowa City Press-Citizen, August 23, 1980: 14 and “Coming Down,” Iowa City Press-
Citizen, January 26, 1970: 9). Advertisements for a fire sale at the “Thing, Things & Things Uptown Shop” at 128
S. Clinton appeared in the local newspaper in April of 1970 (Advertisement, Iowa City Press-Citizen, April 6,
1970: 16).
Figure 01. Fire Insurance Map – 1933 rev.1948
(Source: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1933 rev.1948, Sheet 2.)
The current Things & Things & Things building was constructed after the store’s previous location in the Pusateri Fruit Store
building at 128 S. Clinton burned in January of 1970. The fire also destroyed and adjacent building.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01069
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Things & Things & Things Johnson
Name of Property County
130 (138) S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
With urban renewal plans for the Iowa City downtown well under way by 1970, the acquisition of 100 sites for
demolition was ready to proceed by that summer. The first major construction in the Iowa City urban renewal area
was announced as the new $190,000 Things & Things & Things boutique. The new store rose on the former site
of the Pusateri Fruit Store, which had been destroyed by fire earlier that year. At the time of the fire, Things &
Things & Things occupied the corner building at 132 S. Clinton), having been located there since 1963 (Irving
Weber, “Sicilians operated Iowa City’s early fruit stores,” Iowa City Press-Citizen, August 23, 1980: 14).
Construction on the new building was set to begin the first week of August, 1970. The local newspaper described
the building design as a split-level structure with a 31-foot frontage on Clinton Street. The interior plan had a two-
story section at the front of the building and a three-story section at the rear. The building was designed by local
architect William Nowysz with Richard E. Larew as general contractor.
The new building accommodated a greenhouse, delicatessen, children’s clothing and books, dinnerware, and
men’s and women’s clothing as well as an assortment of “trinkets” and other items (“New ‘Things’ Building First
Construction in Area,” Iowa City Press-Citizen, July 31, 1970: 3.)
Figure 02. Architects Rendering - 1970
(Source: “New ‘Things’ Building First Construction in Area,” Iowa City Press-Citizen, July 31, 1970: 3.)
Local notices indicated that the new Things & Things & Things was scheduled to open on December 7, 1970
(“Notices,” Iowa City Press-Citizen, November 11, 1970: 23.) Given the news accounts indicating the closure of
the store on S. Dubuque St., it appears the new building was of a size which allowed for the consolidation of
locations; after its opening, the store at 130 S. Clinton Street appears to have been the only Things & Things &
Things store location in the city.
There was a fire at Things & Things & Things (130 S. Clinton Street) on December 20, 1970, damaging the front
entrance and causing smoke damage to the interior. The news article about the fire indicated that the store was not
yet completed (“Local Store Damaged In Fire,” Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 21, 1970: 1).
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01069
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Things & Things & Things Johnson
Name of Property County
130 (138) S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 03. Historic Image – S. Clinton Street – c.1970
(Source: State Historical Society of Iowa.)
This view of S. Clinton Street looking northeasterly from near College Street shows the
Things & Things & Things building (right) soon after its 1970 construction.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01069
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Things & Things & Things Johnson
Name of Property County
130 (138) 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.
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.
Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1933 rev.1948
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. “Things & Things building: 52-01069.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Newspapers
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Coming Down.” January 26, 1970.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. Advertisement. February 05, 1970.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. Advertisement. April 6, 1970.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “New ‘Things’ Building First Construction in Area.” July 31, 1970.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Cash Register Pried At Things & Things.” October 22, 1970.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Notices.” Iowa City Press-Citizen. November 11, 1970.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Local Store Damaged In Fire.” December 21, 1970.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Sicilians operated Iowa City’s early fruit stores.” August 23, 1980.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01069
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Things & Things & Things Johnson
Name of Property County
130 (138) S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01069
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
Things & Things & Things Johnson
Name of Property County
130 (138) S. Clinton Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Legal Description: Original Town Com 20’ N of SW cor Lot 5 Blk81; E 60’; N 20’; N 31.75’; W 80’; S to Beg
Assessor: 002 +1010378019
Latitude/Longitude: 41.659485/-91.534315
Plat Map:
COLLEGE
115
110124 107CLINTONDUBUQUEWASHINGTON
118102
138
104 109
112111-117119-123125-131114 109111
114-116128132±