HomeMy WebLinkAbout52-02805_112 E Washingon_SunierMusicSite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-02805 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 Sunier Music & Jewelry Store
other names/site number Lorenz Boots
2. Location
street & number 112 E. Washington 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 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/ 02E COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store/
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
06C LATE 19th & Early 20th CENTURY AMERICAN foundation
REVIVALS/Classical Revival 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 112 E. Washington Street Site Number 52-02805
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 1900 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
05 COMMERCE 1929 (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, 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 52-02805
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Sunier Music & Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
112 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
This 2-story brick commercial building was constructed in 1880 according to assessor records, but fire insurance
maps show a 3-story building with a similar footprint on the site until 1906. It is likely that this building was
constructed sometime between 1899 and 1906 when a 2-story building first appears on maps (Svendsen, 2001).
Newspaper accounts and historic images indicate the façade was renovated in 1929 (reflected today), the year of
an ownership transfer (2017)
This building occupies a mid-block position along the north side of E. Washington St., between S. Clinton and S.
Dubuque streets. It is an example of a simplified, Classical Revival style. The façade dates to 1929, but its design
is reflective of a handful of downtown buildings constructed prior to World War I. The first floor contains a single
storefront with an entrance to the upper level along the east wall and a double set of plate glass doors is centered
between narrow plate glass shop windows on the west side. An oversize signboard spans the storefront with a
small crown molding across the upper edge. The upper level has a single group of four 1/1 double-hung windows
with transoms above. The group is delineated by a stone sill and flat brick arch. The cornice has a simple crown
molding but the plain frieze does not extend to the building edges. Decorative brickwork consists of a projecting
header bricks that outline the shape of a horizontal rectangle between the frieze and window group and a single
course of header bricks between the sill and the signboard. The building has a stone foundation with pressed brick
walls and a flat composition roof. The building measures approximately 20’ across the front with a depth of 60’
(Svendsen, 2001).
In 2017 the building storefront represents a post-2001 remodel. Today, the storefront is highly contemporary in
design and materials. The storefront has an entrance located on either side of a center display window; the left
entrance (112A E.) accesses the first floor storeroom, and that on the right side (112B) accesses the 2nd store
office space. The storefront display area is comprised of two plate glass windows, set in black metal frames; the
display window serves the current storeroom occupant, Moss, a gift store. Square windows stretch the width of
the storefront, serving as a contemporized transom. A black, steel lintel spans the storefront above the transom.
The façade above the lintel appears to have been unaltered from 2001, though a penthouse apartment has been
constructed on the roof. The apartment is contemporary modern in character, with a flat roof, corrugated steel
siding, and banded windows. The penthouse is set back from the plane of the façade wall, but is visible from the
street.
Image 01. View of the streetscape within which the building is located
(Image by AKAY Consulting, April 2018)
View of the E. Washington streetscape, looking northeast. The resource is just left (west) of the large, white facade.
Note the penthouse apartment, visible from this perspective.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02805
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Sunier Music & Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
112 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 02. View of the façade (north), looking north across E. Washington Street
(Image by AKAY Consulting, April 2018)
8. Statement of Significance
This building is a moderately well-preserved example of a Classical Revival commercial building built during an
era of substantial growth in the central business district before World War I and altered in 1929. Non-historic
changes are largely confined to the storefront, though the penthouse addition contributes to a change in character
from the historic. Due to these alterations (and, likely, associated interior alterations), the building does not retain
sufficient historic integrity to be considered individually eligible for the National Register. However, the building
is counted as a contributing resource to a potential downtown historic district. The building is significant under
Criterion A in association with the history of Iowa City commerce and under Criterion C as a representative of
Classical Revival commercial architecture.
Historical Background
As originally laid out, Washington Street was an important commercial street with an extra-wide width (100’
rather than 80’) that extended along the south edge of Capitol Square on the west, through the central business
district, and then past College Green Park to the east before connecting to Governors Square, the planned location
for the governor’s residence. Within a few decades, Washington Street housed the city’s most important banks,
hotels, and public buildings as well as a frequently changing collection of retail establishments (Svendsen, 2001).
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02805
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Sunier Music & Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
112 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 03. Historic Image – ca.1900
(Source: State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
This early image documents the E. Washington streetscape prior to construction of the current building, which, shortly after
this photograph was taken, replaced the building noted.
Fire insurance maps show a building in place at this location by 1874, but changes in the heights of buildings
depicted on maps in 1899 and 1906 make it likely that this building replaced the earlier building sometime during
those five years (Svendsen, 2001). The property was owned by Anne Sunier beginning in 1893 and in November,
1900 notification that appeared in the local newspaper announcing that A. Sunier & Son had gone into the piano
business, is further evidence that the building was constructed in 1900 (2017).
Sunier’s put an elevator in the building in November of 1903 to increase access to the upper story for sales of
pianos and sewing machines. Anne Sunier owned the property until 1910, when she sold to Joseph A. Riggs (the
business remained in the building after the sale). The business focus of the Sunier & Son evolved over time to
include sales of sheet music, sewing machines, and jewelry, and clocks. The business was briefly known as Sunier
& Spevacek (1908), followed by John H. Sunier, Jewelry and Music House. In December of 1928, Sunier
announced its closing, after 44 years in business in the building at 112 E. Washington St. (2017).
In 1929 a local newspaper article noted that Joe Corso was undertaking the remodeling of the building “formerly
occupied by the Sunier music store on East Washington street.” The renovation was to convert “it into a modern
store room and to make apartments on the second floor.” The cost of the project was estimated at $5,000 with J.A.
Boarts acting as the contractor (2017). An historic image captures the building in the years shortly after the
renovation (Image 03).
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02805
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Sunier Music & Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
112 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 03. Historic Image – ca.1935
(Source: State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
The resource is indicated.
City directories list Xavier Corso’s Fruit Store at this location from ca. 1930 into the 1950s. Xavier resided on the
upper level for part of this time and leased space to Albert Tauber, a tailor, by 1940. The Lorenz Brothers Boot
Shop eventually relocated to this site during the 1950s moving from a location across the street and remained here
into the 1980s. A mural depicting Washington Street as it appeared during the decade of the 1950s was visible in
the shop during the 1980s. The tenant in 2001 was Whitey’s Ice Cream and Yogurt shop (2001).
Image 05. Historic Image – 1970s
(Source: Marybeth Slonneger, Finials, 2015.)
Lorenz Boot Shop occupied the building in the 1970s. Despite the numerous façade alterations completed in the 1960s, the
façade of the Sunier Music & Jewelry Store remained largely unaltered from its 1929 appearance.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02805
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Sunier Music & Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
112 E. Washington 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, 112 East Washington Street, 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.
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. “52-02805.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Newspapers
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “News.” September 27, 1900.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “News.” September 21, 1901.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. Advertisement, “A. Sunier & Son, Jewelry & Music Store.” February 05, 1903.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Sunier & Son Put In Elevator.” November 06, 1903.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. Advertisement, “John H. Sunier, Jewelry & Music Store.” April 10, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Building In City Booms.” April 06, 1929.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02805
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Sunier Music & Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
112 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Timeline
1900 ICPC, 09/27/1900: 04. Notice indicating that A. Sunier & Son have gone into the piano business; no
address.
1901 ICPC, 09/21/1901: 08. A.H. Jones will open a dental office in the rooms over Sunier’s jewelery store.
1903 ICPC, 02/05/1903: 03. Advertisement for A. Sunier & Son, Jewelry and Music Store at 112.
1908 ICPC, 08-05/1908: 05. Advertisement for dissolution sale, Sunier & Spevacek.
1909 Directory: John H. Sunier, “Pianos, Organs, Sewing Machines, Diamonds, and Jewelry” at 112 E.
Washington.
1910 ICPC, 02/15/1910: 05. Notice of sale of property, purchased from A. Sunier by Joseph S. Riggs for
$6,500. John Sunier, occupant, will remain in the building.
1915 Directory: John H. Sunier at 112. No separate occupant of upper is noted.
1922 Directory: John H. Sunier (Pianos, Organs, Phonographs, Sewing Machines, Diamonds and Jewelry).
No separate occupant of upper is noted.
1926 Directory: John H. Sunier at 112. No separate occupant of upper is noted.
1928 ICPC, 12/03/1928: 10. “Going Out of Business” notice. John Sunier.
Directory: Reverse directory notes, Hugo J. Rohwedder
Hugo J. Rohwedder, jeweler and optician at 112 E. Washington
1929 ICPC, “Building in City Booms,” 04/06/1929: 03. A remodeling the building “formerly occupied by the
Sunier music store” was underway. The work would “convert it into a modern store room and make
apartments on the second floor.” The project was undertaken by Joe Corso, who expect to spend $5,000.
Contractor was J.A. Boarts.
1930 Directory: Reverse directory notes “112-12-1/2” Xavier H. Corso.
Xavier Henry Corso, fruits, 112-1/2 E. Washington, r 112 same
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02805
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Sunier Music & Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
112 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Full Legal Description: Original Town, Block 80, West 20’ of East 54’ of South 60’ of Lot 6.
Assessor: 009+1010311026
Latitude/Longitude: 41.660567/-91.534030
Parcel Map:
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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