Sponsor
Alderman Helding
Title
Criteria for Use in Evaluation of Requests for 936 S. Main Street Redesignation as Racine Landmark
Whereas, Section 58-61 of the Municipal Code of the City of Racine establishes criteria for the designation of landmarks or landmark sites; and
Whereas, the property at 936 S. Main Street meets two criteria in that it embodies distinguishing characteristics of architecture and craftsmanship, and it is identified with a person of historical importance as follows:
a. Distinguishing characteristics of architecture and craftsmanship:
An exceptionally well preserved and high quality example of asymmetrical Italianate (Italian Villa style) residential architecture popular in the period 1840-1880. The property also features the distinctive cream brick native to Racine.
b. Distinguishing characteristics identified with a person of historical importance:
Lucius Sawyer Blake: born 1816 in Burlington, Vermont; settled in Racine County in 1835; Racine Village Trustee about 1839-1840; manufacture of farm implements; County Treasurer in 1846; Provost Marshall for Camp Utley in 1862 and conducted first military draft in Wisconsin; Alderman for the Second Ward for eight years; Racine representative to State Assembly from 1871-72; owner of 936 S. Main Street from 1873 to 1894; built the opulent Blake Opera House in 1882 that once stood at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and College Ave.; died in 1894; and
Whereas, in 1977 the Blake House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property to the Southside Historic District, and in 1987, the property received its initial designation as a Racine Landmark; and
Whereas, on January 8, 2007 the City of Racine Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to re-nominate the property at 936 S. Main Street as a Racine Landmark.
Resolved, by the Common Council of the City of Racine, that the following characteristics of architecture and craftsmanship are essential to ...
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