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Home My WebLink About52-04085_110 E College_Carson BlgSite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-04085 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 Carson Building other names/site number College Street Oasis 2. Location street & number 110 E.College 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) See Full Legal 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) foundation walls 03 BRICK; 02 WOOD 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 110 E.College Street Site Number 52-04085 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 1914 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 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 52-04085 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 1 Carson Building Johnson Name of Property County 110 E.College Street Iowa City Address City 7. Property Description The Carson Building is located along the downtown pedestrian mall (Ped Mall) that extends for several blocks along E. College Street and S. Dubuque Street; the building is situated on the north side of the Ped Mall, with its façade facing south. According to assessor’s records, the 21- by 95-ft. mid-block commercial building is a solid brick structure on a stone or brick foundation. The Carson Building has a relatively simple façade consisting of a brick upper level with a single window opening containing four fixed sash set on a precast concrete sill. The brick is a light golden tan laid in a running bond. There is no cornice detailing. The storefront is clad in stucco with the entrance to the upper level on the left and a pair of plate glass and metal doors in the shop entrance. A single plate glass display window is on the right side. There is no signboard and no awning (Svendsen, 2001). In 2017 the upper façade remains much as previously described except the windows are more accurately described as two fixed sash flanked by 1/1 double-hung sash; the configuration is set in metal frames. Also, metal coping has been added to the upper wall to protect the termination; the side walls retain their historic clay coping tiles. The storefront has been renovated subsequent to the 2001 evaluation. Today, the storefront is a wood construction in a “Irish Pub” character – the character derived from the use of wood, dark brown paint, paneled forms, and the color and font choice used in the sign. The storefront has a large display window on the east with a recessed entrance on the west. The recess accommodates a single door into the storefront and a separate, single door to the upstairs apartment. A well-scaled storefront cornice and signboard finish the new storefront. A small, fencing patio is situated adjacent to the east half of the building. Image 01. View of the façade (south) elevations, looking north across the Ped Mall (E. College Street) (Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017) Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04085 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 2 Carson Building Johnson Name of Property County 110 E.College Street Iowa City Address City 8. Statement of Significance The Carson Building is a reasonably well-preserved early 20th century commercial building. Although the storefront has been altered from the original (likely multiple times over the course of some 100 years), the upper story retains a good level of historic integrity, certainly to the degree that we can recognize and appreciate the building as a historic resource contributing to the overall character of the streetscape and the downtown generally. As a result, the Carson Building is considered eligible under Criterion C as a contributing resource to a potential historic district. Further, the building is significant under Criterion A in its longtime association with the history of Iowa City commerce. Historical Background As noted, the Carson Building is located on the urban renewal era pedestrian mall that extends for several blocks along E. College Street and S. Dubuque Street. As originally platted, College Street had a 100-ft. width with four 80-ft. wide lots laid out perpendicular to the street. 20-ft. wide east-west alleys bisected the blocks and were presumed to extend along the rear of the buildings. College Street extended from the “Promenade” along the Iowa River east through the downtown, over Ralston Creek, and eventually along the south side of College Green park before it reached the city limits (Svendsen, 2001). Figure 01. Fire Insurance Map – 1912 (Source: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1912). Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04085 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 3 Carson Building Johnson Name of Property County 110 E.College Street Iowa City Address City Figure 02. Fire Insurance Map – 1920 (Source: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1920). Some discrepancy about the history of the building at 110 E. College exists between the 2001 evaluation and the present survey. Previously, it was stated that the present building was constructed sometime between 1967 and 1970 as a replacement for the Carson Building and for the purpose of providing a second entrance to the building that fronted onto 118 S. Clinton Street. Additional research supports a construction date of ca.1914 – that date coincides with a change in footprint between the fire insurance maps of 1912 and 1920, a change in appearance by 1914 (Image 03), and a change in occupation in 1918. In 1918 news accounts appear referring to the building as the Carson Building. The building replaced a smaller building that had been on the lot from at least 1888; historic images suggest the possibility that the building was altered in ca.1914 (addition to the rear and new façade) rather than a complete reconstruction, though that has not been confirmed. The Carson Building was occupied by a variety of businesses, beginning with a piano store in 1918 and soon followed by a bakery. The building did indeed serve as the College Street entrance for the Alden’s Department Store (52-04075, Strub Building). The first use by Alden’s appears to have occurred in the 1960s. Alden’s was utilizing the building at the time of a major fire in January of 1970. Although the Carson Building had significant smoke and water damage (its neighbors to the west were destroyed), news accounts printed shortly after the fire reported that the building (noted as occupied by Alden’s) and those to the east were spared because they had fire walls. No reports were located to suggest that the building was razed as a result of the fire. In addition, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04085 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 4 Carson Building Johnson Name of Property County 110 E.College Street Iowa City Address City assessor notes that the building is a solid brick structure on a brick or stone foundation – a structural system indicative of an early construction date. Finally, although the façade is simple in detail, the basic elements of the upper façade, including the use of a case stone window sill and a single opening filled by a multi-part windows configuration, are in keeping with a ca.1914 construction date and likely represent a simplification of the 1914 façade made as part of the post-fire repairs (2017). The entrance on College Street was maintained after Alden’s left and Roshek’s assumed its former space on Clinton and through to College (2017). By the 1980s this address had a separate business. In 1982 the Somebody Goofed Jean Shop was located here. The building has had a series of short-term tenants since then (Svendsen, 2001). Image 02. Historic Image – ca.1904 (Source: State Historical Society of Iowa) Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04085 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 5 Carson Building Johnson Name of Property County 110 E.College Street Iowa City Address City Image 03. Historic Image – 1914 (Source: State Historical Society of Iowa) Image 04. Historic Image – 1970 (Source: Iowa City Public Library) The fire on January 21, 1970 destroyed two buildings and damaged six others, including the Carson Building. Fire walls saved the Carson Building and those to its east. In this image the Schroeder Bros. Store (second story awnings) is in view at right. The Carson Building is hidden beneath the icy sheet. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04085 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 6 Carson Building Johnson Name of Property County 110 E.College 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. 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. “52-04085.” Iowa Site Form, 2001. Newspapers Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Fire Destroys 2 Stores. Six Others Receive Damage.” Junary 21, 1970. Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Stores Near Fire Area Cleaning Up.” January 21, 1970. Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Fire Marshal Says Blaze Did Not Start in Basement.” January 23, 1970. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04085 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 7 Carson Building Johnson Name of Property County 110 E.College Street Iowa City Address City Timeline 1888 Sanborn: A 2-story with a 20-ft. frontage and approx. 50-ft. depth is on the lot. The building adjoined neighbor on the the west (108) but did not touch neighbor on the east (112). Occupied by a tailor. 1899 Sanborn: A 2-story with a 26-ft. (likely just a miss-measure in 1888 or in 1899 as footprint appears the same) frontage and approx. 50-ft. depth is on the late. The building is adjoined on both the east and the west – looks like 112 filled the former gap between the two buildings. Occupied by a grocer. 1906 Sanborn: Footprint appears the same as in 1899 except a room added to the rear. Occupied by a grocer. 1912 Sanborn: Footprint appears the same as in 1906/1899. Occupied by a shoe shine. 1915 City Directory: 110 Thomas L. Marlas, “shoe black” George L. Marlas, “shoeshiner” 110-1/2 One apartment tenant noted 1918 City Directory: 110 “Carson Building.” James Ragan, pianos 110-1/2 One apartment tenant noted 1919 City Directory: 110 “Carson Building.” Quaker System of Bakeries. 110-1/2 Two apartment tenants noted 1920 Sanborn: 2-story building with an approx. 25-ft. frontage and approx. 100-ft. depth (60-ft. at 2-stories, with remained appearing to be 1-story). Occupied by a confectionery with an oven near the front of the first floor. 1922 City Directory: 110 Federal System of Bakeries 110-1/2 One apartment tenant noted 1926 Sanborn: 2-story with 28-ft. (discrepancy is likely just illegibility on some maps) frontage and approx. 100-depth. A storeroom (occupant not identified) is in the front 60-ft. and a back shop is at the rear. 1933 Sanborn: 2-story with 25-ft. (discrepancy is likely just illegibility on some maps) frontage and approx. 100-depth. A storeroom (occupant not identified) is in the front 60-ft. and a back shop is at the rear. 1948R Sanborn: 2-story with 25-ft. (discrepancy is likely just illegibility on some maps) frontage and approx. 100-depth. A storeroom (occupant not identified) is in the front 60-ft. and a back shop is at the rear. NOTE: no interior connections to Clinton Street stores at this time. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-04085 Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number Continuation Sheet Page 8 Carson Building Johnson Name of Property County 110 E.College Street Iowa City Address City 11. Additional Documentation Legal Description: Original Town Plat, W 20’ of S 85’ Lot 6 Blk 81 Assessor: PIN 009+1010378021 Lat/Long: 41.659363/-91.534103 Parcel Map - 2017 COLLEGE 115 110124 107WASHINGTON CLINTONDUBUQUE118102 138 104 109 112111-117119-123125-131114 109111 114-116128132±