Five thousand souls. Founded by a farmer and businessman who'd go on to a career in politics and apple-growing and all the other usual 19th century pursuits. It's named after Richland County, which was so named because - well, figure it out. Good PR.

What the holy sam hell

The A.D. German Warehouse.

His use of double-brick walls created a cold storage environment without mechanical refrigeration. The projected $30,000 warehouse began construction in 1917. By 1921, with over $125,000 spent, German was forced to halt work and eventually lost the building through bankruptcy proceedings.

The architect did the work in exchange for having his own bills forgiven.

Designed by a native son, a born-and-raised Richland man. Some guy named Frank Wright, if you’re curious.

I swear the buildinbg's owner added the top later, just to show everyone who’s who and what’s what

TOMS. Bio: Capt. Henry Toms was a native of England and one of the pioneer businessmen of Richland Center, born on August 6, 1829. He resided in his native country till 1853, when at the age of twenty-four he emigrated to the United States.

It was a furniture store and funeral parlor. The town’s historical page says the top was repaired at some point, which altered its appearance.

I’m sure the town’s historical page has something on this one, how it defied the trend towards the Commercial style, but it’s not organized by image, so I can’t tell you the history unless I click through every damned link on the page.

BAILEY:

Local historical page: "“Originally built for $15,000 to house Bailey’s dry goods store, as well as an Opera House and the Masonic Temple on the second floor, the Bailey Building housed the Clark and Elliott Store at the turn of the century, followed for many years by the Edward and Kelly Clothing Store and later by Brown’s.”

In a similar ornate style, the James Building, to the local historical society.

And I don’t doubt them, but . . . What’s this?

Enhance:

So Mr. James constructed a few buildings, I assume.

Wow:

These historical sites can be so damned dull, but I suppose it’s the text used for applying for historical status.

Characterized by a projecting metal cornice ornamented by large and small
brackets, medal medallions and a rectangular shaped pediment, this
Italianate brick (now painted) three-bay former produce store is further
characterized by ornamental iron pilasters flanking the four long, narrow
windows placed in a recessed panel on the upper story of the façade. A plain
cornice with end brackets extend across the remodeled storefront.

As dairying gained importance

Zzzzzz

Teats up in ’28:

The addition was inflicted upon the town in 1976. It had a two-story interior that looks lovely.

Looks like early AI tried to do the marquee

Of this famed auditorium let us sing:

Designed in a “modernized” Classical style by LaCrosse architect Percy Bentley, this red brick municipal building features an entablature comprised of a projecting cornice and modillion ornament placed on applied brick pilasters topped with Ionic capitals -

Zzzzz

Before it was mauled, did it have nice tall windows? OF COURSE it did.

Vandals.

Over time:

Nothing on the local historical page, and I’m glad, because we’d have to sit through a dry-as-particle-board recitation of its building materials.

Appears to have been a spec office block.

Had a pediment, but it was lopped off at some point. No great loss; it was undersized and a bit silly.

Looks as if the interesting parts were shaved off.

Well, that’s the town. Oh - one more.

They want a new marquee, and I wish them all the best.