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Home My WebLink About52-02829_330 E Washington_EldonMillerBldgSite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-02829 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 Eldon Miller, Inc., building other names/site number Gabe's 2. Location street & number 330 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) 61 Lot(s) W28' of E50' Lot 8 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 buildings structure sites sites object structures structures objects objects Total 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) 02A01 COMMERCE/TRADE/office building 01G02 COMMERCE/TRADE/restaurant/bar 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions) 08 MODERN MOVEMENT foundation walls 04C STONE/Limestone; 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 330 E. Washington Street Site Number 52-02829 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 1955 check if circa or estimated date Other dates 05 COMMERCE 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 02/2018 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 52-02829 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 1 Eldon Miller, Inc., building Johnson Name of Property County 330 E. Washington Street Iowa City Address City 7. Property Description The Eldon Miller building is an example of a mid-block, commercial building constructed in the mid-20th century representing the modern character typical of the period. Although altered from it’s original design, the building retains the primary design elements representative of the modern era. Namely, the lack of applied ornamentation and layering of geometric form as demonstrated in the brick framing element surrounding the flat plane of the upper wall. As described by Svendsen, “it is constructed of concrete block with a light tan colored brick applied to the front façade (more accurately, the façade retains its original finish, which, per the 1955 news article discussed on the following page, is an Ashlar split-faced limestone with a framing device executed in brick). The front façade is recessed approximately 1’ from building fronts to either side with a continuous frame on both sides and along the cornice. The first level has an opening located on the right half that includes a wide wood frame surrounding a pair of double plate glass doors and a fixed glass panel. The glass panel has come to be used as a community bulletin board. The left half of the storefront has a single horizontal window. There are no windows on the upper level of the building front. The building measures 28’ across the front and is approximately 70’ deep” (Svendsen, 2001). In 2018 the building remains as described in 2001. Image 01. View of the streetscape, looking NW across E. Washington and Gilbert streets (Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017) The Miller Building retains its historic relationship to the 1899 Boerner-Fry Company building (later the Davis Hotel) seen here on the corner. The Miller building is now bound on the west by recently constructed, 5-story mixed-use building. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02829 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 2 Eldon Miller, Inc., building Johnson Name of Property County 330 E. Washington Street Iowa City Address City Image 02. View of the building, looking north across E. Washington Street (Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017) Although the storefront has been altered, the modern design elements and original finishes (brick and Ashlar split-faced limestone) are retained in the upper wall. 8. Statement of Significance This building is an example of a mid-20th century, infill commercial building executed in the Modern style. Although the storefront has been altered from the original, the upper façade retains the original, modern design elements and finishes. Although historic integrity is not sufficient to be considered individually eligible, the building is considered a contributing resource to a potential historic district. The Eldon Miller is significant under Criteria A in association with the history of Iowa City commerce and under Criteria C as a representative of mid- 20th century the Modern style. Historical Background As originally laid out Washington Street was an important commercial street with an extra wide width (100’ rather than 80’). It 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). On February 11, 1955 the opening of the new Eldon Miller, Inc., building at 330 E. Washington Street was reported by the Iowa City Press-Citizen. The article describes the new building as follows: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02829 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 3 Eldon Miller, Inc., building Johnson Name of Property County 330 E. Washington Street Iowa City Address City “The new two-story building is 28 feet by 102 feet. Construction is of brick and cement block with the front of Ashlar split-faced limestone. The roof is of poured concrete which will make it possible to add a third floor later if needed. The building also can be expanded another 48 feet at the rear. Floors are of asphalt and rubber tile. The building is completely air-conditioned, with a separate heating unit and air- conditioning unit for each floor. Furniture is function; walls and partitions are moveable. Accommodations for a staff of 42 are provided for in the building. Controls and the treasury department occupy the first floor. Operations, industrial relations, and traffic are on the second floor. A private teletype system connects the office with all 16 brances and all brances are connected with each other.” Eldon Miller, Inc. was trucking firm, established in 1935. The company operated from the Miller farm until 1939 when offices were opened at 1030 S. Riverside Drive in Iowa City; the expansion of livestock hauling lead to the growth that required a dedicated office. The restrictions imposed on short hauls of petroleum during the war years led to Miller’s move into the transportation of gasoline. That shift led to subsequent decades of steady growth and expansion. In 1955, the company expected to do $3-million gross volume. In that year, Miller operated in 27 states and had 16 branch offices scattered throughout the Midwest. The firm employed 25 persons in the Iowa City office (2017). Image 03. Historic Image – 1955 (Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen, 02/11/1955.) This image, published at the time the building was placed in service, documents its modern character. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02829 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 4 Eldon Miller, Inc., building Johnson Name of Property County 330 E. Washington Street Iowa City Address City Following a series of law suits brough against the company, Eldon Miller, Inc. sold the property on E. Washington (2017). According to Svendsen, the building was sold to the American College Testing (ACT) Program, Inc. in 1960. Educational testing was one of the programs that had excelled during Hancher's presidency at UI. In the late 1950s ACT developed from the Iowa Tests of Educational Development developed at the university. As might be expected ACT, a not-for-profit organization, acquired space near the campus in the downtown. Its operation continued from this site until 1968 when the new facility was, completed along Highway 1 near Interstate 80. The building was then sold to Albert and Wilfreda Hieronymous. Albert was a professor of education at the university and Wilfreda became an active proponent of urban renewal efforts during the 1960s and 1970s. They eventually owned a number of downtown properties and became investors in Old Capitol Center. The building at 330 E. Washington Street came to house Gabe 'n' Walkers, later Gabe's Tavern, in 1975 (Svendsen, 2001). Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02829 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 5 Eldon Miller, Inc., building Johnson Name of Property County 330 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 Sheet, 330 East Washington Street, Urban Revitalization Act Study Area Survey, 1981. Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892. 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. “Gabe’s Tavern, 52-02829.” Iowa Site Form, 2001. Newspapers Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Eldon Miller, Inc. in New Building.” February 11, 1955. Timeline 1926 Fire Insurance Map – lot is vacant (Davis Hotel in place on the corner) 1948 rev. 1933 Fire Insurance Map – lot is vacant, except for a small, one-story structure on the alley associated with the hotel. 1956 Directory: Eldon Miller, Inc., trucking 1959 Directory: Eldon Miller, Inc., trucking Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02829 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 6 Eldon Miller, Inc., building Johnson Name of Property County 330 E. Washington Street Iowa City Address City 11. Additional Documentation Full Legal Description: W 28’ of E 50’ Lot 8 Blk 61 Assessor: 002+1010436004 Latitude/Longitude: 41.660638/-91.530500 Parcel Map – 2017 LINNGILBERTWASHINGTON IOWA 328332355 32028330±