National Register Listing

West Second Street Historic District

a.k.a. NR Control Nos. 1017733800;0126820049

W. 2nd St. from Ellis Ave. to 6th Ave., Ashland, WI
Built primarily between 1884 and 1937, the earliest and latest dates for significant contributing buildings, the West Second Street Historic District is an architecturally significant collection of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial and governmental buildings designed by significant local, regional, and federal architects in the leading Victorian era styles that range from the vernacular Romanesque Revival or Italianate styles to the monumental Richardsonian Romanesque style and richly ornamental Neoclassical Revival style and including the bold Art Deco style. Erected during Ashland's significant years as the leading manufacturing, industrial and shipping city, as well as the county seat for Ashland County, the brick, brownstone, and clapboarded buildings share a very cohesive unity of scale, material, and exuberant detail and style that is unmatched by any other northwestern Wisconsin city. The distinctive quality of architectural design that clearly separates the district from its surroundings reflects the economic prosperity and significant commercial role of the district during its period of significance. Historically significant as the commercial center for Ashland and surrounding counties, Ashland's West Second Street district provided the region with a variety of retail, cultural, governmental, and financial services. Today this role remains as strong a key to the region's activity as it did at the turn of the century. Fortunately, the historic and architectural integrity of the district is very well preserved, exhibiting the prestige its citizens, financial leaders, and architects were able to contribute to the district throughout its period of significance from 1884 to 1937.
Local significance of the district:
Commerce; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The first European to explore Wisconsin was Jean Nicolet, a French explorer who arrived in 1634. He was looking for a water route to Asia but instead encountered the Menominee Indians near Green Bay.
Wisconsin random facts
Ashland County, Wisconsin has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and other Native American tribes. European exploration and settlement began in the late 17th century, with French fur traders and missionaries establishing a presence in the region. The area was heavily involved in the fur trade, with trappers and traders using the nearby waterways to transport goods.

In the mid-19th century, Ashland County saw a significant influx of settlers due to the discovery of copper and iron ore deposits. Mining operations boomed, attracting people from all over the country. The city of Ashland was founded in 1854 as a mining town and quickly became a major center for shipping ore and supplies. The mining industry played a crucial role in the development of the county, providing jobs and economic growth.

The arrival of the railroads in the late 19th century further contributed to Ashland County's growth. The railroads improved transportation and allowed for the expansion of industries such as logging and agriculture. Timber became a major industry, with vast forests providing a steady supply of lumber. Agriculture also thrived, with dairy farming becoming particularly important.

Throughout the 20th century, Ashland County experienced both prosperity and challenges. The decline of the mining and logging industries in the latter part of the century had a significant impact on the local economy. However, the county has continued to adapt and diversify, with tourism and outdoor recreation becoming increasingly important. Ashland County is now known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which attract visitors from all over the world.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Ashland County, Wisconsin.

  • 1860: Ashland County is created by the Wisconsin State Legislature
  • 1870: Ashland becomes the county seat
  • 1870s: Logging and sawmills drive the local economy
  • 1883: The Wisconsin Central Railroad reaches Ashland
  • 1894: Ashland experiences a devastating fire that destroys most of the city
  • 1900: The population of Ashland County reaches its peak
  • 1920s: The decline of the lumber industry leads to a shift in the local economy towards tourism and agriculture
  • 1940s: Ashland County contributes to the war effort during World War II
  • 1970s: The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is established, boosting tourism in the area
  • 1990s: The population of Ashland County begins to decline