HomeMy WebLinkAbout52-02807_111-117 E Washington_YounkersSite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-02807 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 Younker’s Department Store Building
other names/site number Brown Bottle Restaurant
2. Location
street & number 111-117 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) 81 Lot(s) Part of Lots 2 & 3
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)
02F COMMERCE/TRADE/department store 70 VACANT/NOT IN USE
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
08 MODERN MOVEMENT foundation
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 111-117 E. Washington Street Site Number 52-02807
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 1951 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
Builder
Kucharo Construction Co.
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 52-02807
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Younker’s Department Store Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-117 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
Constructed in 1951, the Younker’s Department Store building replaced three earlier buildings on this parcel with
a single building constructed for use as a department store. The double-width storefront building has a steel
structural system with concrete floors and roof deck. The upper level of the façade is clad in a combination of tan
brick, which is laid with horizontal recessed courses approximately every 2-ft. A flush, precast stone coping caps
the parapet. Four, nearly square, window openings are widely spaced across the front and contain a fixed central
light flanked by narrow casement windows (the west window is boarded over). The lower level begins
immediately beneath the windows with a change in cladding. The west half is covered in limestone squares and
has two storefronts with recessed entrances and angled display windows. The windows and doors consist of plate
glass set in black enamel metal framing. The east storefront serves a single business and has its entrance beneath a
curved awning near the center of the building. A lighted signboard advertises the restaurant’s ethnic food theme
while the storefront itself contains a series of narrow vertical fixed lights surrounded by glazed ceramic tile. Both
storefronts represent alterations made during the 1990s. The building measures approximately 80-ft. across the
front and extends to the alley with a depth of 150-ft. (Svendsen, 2001).
In 2017 the building is largely as previously described. In August of 2017, the building was vacant so all signage
had been removed as had the awning above the east retail space entrance. Within months after the following
image was taken all three storefronts had tenants with business signage mounted to the existing sign board.
Image 01. View of the streetscape within which the building is located, looking east along E. Washington
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02807
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Younker’s Department Store Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-117 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 02. View of the façade (north), looking south across E. Washington Street
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
8. Statement of Significance
This building is a moderately well-preserved example of a mid-20th century commercial building associated with
a wave of new construction that occurred in the downtown prior to urban renewal. Due to the alteration of the
storefront and retrofitting of the upper story windows, the building is not individually eligible for listing on the
National Register of Historic Places. However, as a Younkers Department Store, the building has an important
association with the history of Iowa City commerce and its construction marks an important shift in the visual
character of this block of E. Washington Street; with the adjacent S.S. Kresge building, the Younkers building
(and in the following decade the new façade of the Hands Jewelry building), represents a modern character tied to
the mid-20th century. As a result, the Younkers Store is considered a contributing resource in a potential historic
district.
Historical Background
As originally laid out Washington Street was an important commercial street with an extra wide width (100-ft.
rather than 80-ft.) 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 52-02807
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Younker’s Department Store Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-117 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 03. Historic Image – E. Washington Street looking southeast - 1913
(Source: State Historical Society of Iowa.)
This image captures the E. Washington streetscape just after construction of the Hotel Jefferson (left)
and before the general shift toward a more modern character.
Image 04. Historic Image – 1951
(Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen. February 06, 1945.)
Although the precise plans were altered more than once, Younkers eventually overtook the two building
indicated in this image and the Yetter’s Store to their east.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02807
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Younker’s Department Store Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-117 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
In February of 1945, Younker’s announced their intention to open a department store in Iowa City sometime after
March of the following year. The company had secured a longterm lease on the properties at 111 and 113 E.
Washington which, at the time were occupied by Boerner’s Pharmacy and Three Sisters, respectively. The plan
was to construct a modern two-story building as soon as materials were available (a challenge due to war
shortages); although portions of the existing buildings would be salvaged, the construction would essentially be
new.
Despite that announcement made in 1945, Younker’s had yet to establish its presence in Iowa City in 1949. That
April a design sketch for their proposed building appeared in the local newspaper (Image 05). The new building
would be located on the site previously under consideration, with the existing buildings razed to accommodate the
construction of the $300,000 building, which was monumental, bold, and very modern. And it was never built
(2017).
Image 05. Historic Image – 1951
(Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen. February 06, 1945.)
Just three months later, the firm announced they would “take over” Yetter’s Store (115-117 E. Washington Street)
in addition to the buildings at 111 and 113. Rather than the modern building featured in the April news article,
Younker’s would start by using all of the Yetter Store building and soon thereafter expand into the first floors of
the adjacent buildings. Fond farewells to Yetter’s Store came as the store closed its doors on July 30, 1949 after
61 years in business. The following Tuesday, a new era began with the opening of the Younker’s Department
Store. With just the weekend between the closing of Yetter’s and the opening of Younker’s, the store was cleared
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02807
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Younker’s Department Store Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-117 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
of old merchandise and new merchandise was transported from Des Moines to stock the new store. The
Younker’s management clearly understood the importance of the Yetter’s Store in the city history, making a
pointed effort to state their commitment to the city and their intention to provide excellent goods and services.
Their stated mission appeared in an early advertisement: “We have come to live here and mean to do what is
right. If you want honest goods at bottom prices, call at Younker Brothers” (2017).
Rebuilding plans were well underway by November of 1949 with the issuance of a building permit to Kucharo
Construction Co. in the amount of $283,000. The new store would incorporate the former Yetter’s building with
new construction that would replace the buildings at 111 and 113 (then occupied by Manning’s Mercantile and
Three Sisters, respectively). Demolition of the latter two buildings was underway by November of 1949. Limited
alteration of the Yetter’s building was planned; primarily, the integration with the adjacent new building.
The new Younkers Store held its official opening on February 7, 1951. With an 83-ft. frontage on E. Washington
and a 37,000 sq. ft. of floor space, the Iowa City store was the largest of the six Younkers chain stores (not
including the anchor store in Des Moines). The store façade was modern in design, featuring granite and stainless
steel storefronts, stainless canopies, and a brick upper story. Two stainless steel revolving doors were used for
temperature control. Interior fixtures were of bleached oak with the fluorescent lights featuring “egg-crate
louvers.” The first story had terrazzo floors with a palette of warm greys, pastel mulberry and pastel rose, with a
fuschia front on the elevators. A “motor stairs” (escalator), three staircases and an elevator provided access to the
second floor and the basement level (2017).
Image 06. Historic Image – 1951
(Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen. February 06, 1951.)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02807
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Younker’s Department Store Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-117 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 07. Historic Image – Younkers First Floor Interior - 1951
(Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen. February 06, 1951.)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02807
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Younker’s Department Store Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-117 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.
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. “Younker’s Department Store Building: 52-02807.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Newspapers
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Younkers to Open Department Store in Iowa City.” February 06, 1945.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Will Build $300,000 Store Here.” April 30, 1949.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Younkers to Take Over Yetter’s Store.” July 01, 1949.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Suit Filed Here to Stop Sale of Yetter Store to Younkers.” July 01, 1949.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Will Rule on Motion.” July 11, 1949.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Long Career of Yetter’s Store Will End Tonight; Younkers to Open Tuesday.” July 30,
1949.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. Advertisement for Yetter’s.” July 30, 1949.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “We have come to live here ... Advertisement for Younker’s” August 01, 1949.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Begin Construction of New, Larger Younkers Building; Kucharo Co. Wins Contract.”
November 24, 1949.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Younkers’ Construction in Iowa City to Cost $283,000.” November 25, 1949.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Younkers Store Will Hold Official Opening To Mark Completion.” February 06, 1951.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02807
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
Younker’s Department Store Building Johnson
Name of Property County
111-117 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Legal Description: Original Town, Lot 3 Blk 81
Assessor: 111 002+1010378011
113 002+1010378010
115 002+1010378009
Latitude/Longitude: 41.660226/-91.534012
Plat Map:
COLLEGE
115
110124 107CLINTONDUBUQUEWASHINGTON
118102
138
104 109
112111-117119-123125-131114 109111
114-116128132±