HomeMy WebLinkAbout52-01548_5 S Dubuque_EpeneterBlgSite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-01548 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 F.J. Epeneter Building (north half)
other names/site number
2. Location
street & number 5 S. Dubuque 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 Lot 1
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)
02E15 COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store/billiards hall 02G02 COMMERCE/TRADE/Restaurant/bar
02E COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store/ 01B DOMESTIC/multiple dwelling (upper floor)
01B DOMESTIC/multiple dwelling (upper floor)
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
09F05 COMMERCIAL/Brick Front foundation
walls 15G SYNTHETICS/Permastone
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 5 S. Dubuque Street Site Number 52-01548
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
02 ARCHITECTURE 1883 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
05 COMMERCE ca.1930 (façade)
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
Builder
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, Architectural 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 52-01548
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
F.J. Epeneter Building (north half) Johnson
Name of Property County
5 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
The Epeneter Building (Image 01) was built as a two-story, two-bay masonry commercial building constructed in
ca.1879 (south half) and ca.1883 (north half). For much of its history, the building functioned as a unit, the
configuration of the storefronts and upper story changing through time. It wasn’t until ca.1930 that the two halves
of the building began to function autonomously; replacement of a shared one-story rear addition with a two-story
rear addition with dedicated access to each of the two halves marks the transition. The re-facing of the north half
(5) may have been undertaken at that same time – a period in which Permastone was a new material thought to
provide a relatively quick and easy way to alter an aging façade. Svendsen indicates that assessor records note an
unspecified remodeling in 1930. The north half of the Epeneter Building remains independent of the south half,
which each building under separate ownership (2017).
Image 01. Historic Image - View looking north along S. Dubuque Street - 1893
(Source: State Historical Society of Iowa.)
This 1893 image provides a clue as to the building’s original appearance. 5 S. Dubuque accounts for the north (right) half of
the Epeneter Building.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01548
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
F.J. Epeneter Building (north half) Johnson
Name of Property County
5 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City
Address City
The Epeneter Building (north half) is located mid-block in a contiguous line of commercial buildings dating to a
similar construction era and sympathetic in size and scale. As noted, the building façade was altered in the 1930s,
the upper story being clad with Permastone, a cast stone product. The alteration resulted in a significant
modification of the original stylistic character. However, the re-façade dates to more that fifty years of age and as
such is considered historic in its own right. The Permastone is laid with a defined cornice line in the upper wall
plane (2017).
The upper story is further characterized by the location of three windows, placed equidistant in the upper story.
Window openings have a flat head with Permastone lintels and sills. The windows appear to retain wood frames.
The sash are double-hung, 4-over-1 (2017).
Although the storefront has been altered from the original, retention of what is likely the original prism glass
storefront transom is notable – few survive in the Iowa City downtown. Otherwise, the storefront has a recessed
entrance on the south with a modest sized display window on the north – the window is operable to connect the
interior bar/restaurant to the outdoors when weather permits. The wall beneath the display window is brick clad.
Seating has been located on the sidewalk with a small deck established in the street parking spot (2017).
Image 02. View of the Epeneter Building (north half), looking NW across S. Dubuque
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
When constructed in 1883 through ca.1930 the building at 5 S. Dubuque was part of a two-bay, two storefront
building – the brick building at left (7 S. Dubuque) is the other half of the Epeneter Building.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01548
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
F.J. Epeneter Building (north half) Johnson
Name of Property County
5 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 03. View of the Epeneter Building (north half), looking NW across S. Dubuque
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
8. Statement of Significance
The Epeneter Building (north half) represents a ca.1930 renovation, illustrating the evolution typical of a
commercial district. While its former partner to the south remains expressive of its original, ca.1874 Late
Victorian era character, the façade of the north portion of the Epeneter Building expresses the 20th century desire
for modernization – the use of Permastone as a cladding is firmly tied to the 1930s and 1940s. Like the Market
Hall just across the street (2-4 S. Dubuque), the alteration of the upper façade confuses our understanding the
building history – the historic relationship with the adjacent building remains unknown except by closer
examination. In the case of the Epeneter Building, the two halves became autonomous through alteration of both
the façade, a rear addition, and the separation of interior spaces. Also, the two halves of what was the Epeneter
Building have separate owners. As a result, the significance of the north half of the Epeneter building is
considered separate from its former other half.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01548
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
F.J. Epeneter Building (north half) Johnson
Name of Property County
5 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City
Address City
The Epeneter Building (north half) represents the evolution of downtown Iowa City commercial buildings over
time. The Permastone façade, which has defined its historic character for nearly 90 years, remains in very good
condition. Further, the retention of the prism glass transom is notable. All told, the building retains a good level of
historic integrity. As a result, the building is considered a contributing resource to a potential historic district
under Criterion C. Further, the building is significant under Criterion A, contributing as it does to our
understanding of the history of Iowa City commerce (2017).
Historical Background
As originally laid out, Dubuque Street was a major north-south street entering the central business district from
the north. However, this fact was in conflict with the configuration of lots in the east half of Block 80, which were
oriented towards Iowa Avenue. The strong pull of the Dubuque Street corridor won out, with buildings erected on
lots reconfigured for east-west orientations. This building likely dates from sometime between 1879 when the lot
was vacant and 1883 when fire insurance maps first depict a building of similar dimensions. Property transfer
records show the property transferred in 1882 from Margaret Hunzinger, the widow of Gotlieb Hunzinger who
owned and built the Park House hotel to the north of this building, to F.J. Epeneter, a billiard hall operator who
operated his business from the building located at 7 S. Dubuque Street immediately to the south. Fire insurance
maps show 7 S. Dubuque already in place by 1874 -some question remains about whether the building depicted is
actually the Epeneter Building; most certainly the south half was in place by 1879. By 1883 the fire insurance
map lists a saloon at 5 S. Dubuque but city directories do not show Epeneter operating a business here until 1904.
It is possible that Epeneter leased the space to another billiards hall operator and/or operated it in conjunction with
the storefront to the south. By 1901 Epeneters Billiards Hall again appears in city directories, but at 7 S. Dubuque.
By 1904 the business was listed as operating on the lower level of 5 S. Dubuque and Epeneter’s son and daughter-
in-law, Charles and Hattie Epeneter, lived in the apartment above (Svendsen, 2001).
Image 04. Historic Image - View looking south along S. Dubuque Street from Iowa Avenue
(Source: State Historical Society of Iowa.)
The north half of the Epeneter Building is easy to spot by its Permastone façade.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01548
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
F.J. Epeneter Building (north half) Johnson
Name of Property County
5 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City
Address City
The north half of the Epeneter Building (5 S. Dubuque) first appears on fire insurance maps in 1883 – the south
half (7 S. Dubuque) already in place by the issuance of the 1879 fire insurance maps and perhaps by the 1874 fire
insurance map (the evidence on the 1874 map is inconclusive).
This particular block of S. Dubuque Street was an especially popular location for saloons and billiard halls
immediately following the Civil War with eight saloons located in the block between Iowa Avenue and
Washington Street in 1868. This pattern changed somewhat in later years as various waves of prohibition and
concern about the evils of idleness impacted the saloon and billiard hall trade. This may help explain the unusual
retail decision made by brothers Charles and Thomas Epeneter by 1911. City directories show the two operating
under the style “Epeneter Brothers” but their trade now included the sale of vacuum cleaners as well as billiards.
In 1926 the property (including 7 to the south) was transferred to Joseph Rinella, Sr. who had a produce business
in the shop space below #5 and resided in the apartment above the store. Joseph and his wife Josephine Rinella
were immigrants from Sicily who settled in Iowa in the 1890s. This was the third location for a grocery or
produce business. The Rinellas had settled here based on the encouragement of Mrs. Rinella’s Corso family
which was also active as local produce vendors. After 1926, their son Joseph, Jr. continued to operate a pool hall
beneath 7 and reside on the upper level. Retail users in 5 changed frequently after World War II with the upper
level remodeled for apartment usage (Svendsen, 2001).
Figure 01. Fire Insurance Map – 1879
(Source: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1879.)
The south half of the Epeneter Building is in place by the 1879 fire insurance map.
Note that the north half remains a vacant lot.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01548
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
F.J. Epeneter Building (north half) Johnson
Name of Property County
5 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 02. Fire Insurance Map – 1883
(Source: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1883.)
By 1883, the north half of the building was in place.
Figure 03. Fire Insurance Map – 1926
(Source: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1926.)
From ca.1910-ca.1930, the building shared a one, one-story addition on the rear.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01548
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
F.J. Epeneter Building (north half) Johnson
Name of Property County
5 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 04. Fire Insurance Map – 1933
(Source: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1933.)
By 1933 the rear, shared one-story addition had been replaced by a two-story addition with dedicated association to each of
the two halves of the Epeneter Building.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01548
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
F.J. Epeneter Building (north half) Johnson
Name of Property County
5 S. Dubuque 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 Sheet, 5 South Dubuque, Urban Revitalization Act Study Area Survey, 1981.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
Weber, Irving. “Business Community Stability: Three Generations in Business,” Iowa City Press-Citizeni, Iowa
City, Iowa, April 20, 1985.
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. “Epeneter Building (north half): 52-01548.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01548
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 9
F.J. Epeneter Building (north half) Johnson
Name of Property County
5 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Legal Description: S. 20’ of N. 60’ and E. 67’ of Lot 1, Block 80
Assessor: 002+1010311002
Latitude/Longitude: 41.661251, -91.533431
Parcel Map – 2017
28 120132121-12311711023
1121
12410-12-14
32
19-21
24-26
9119
17
13-15
114-11612611115
16 1138
30
5
11818-20
22
7
128-130CLINTONDUBUQUEWASHINGTON
IOWA
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