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1314-1316 Second Street – Perry, Iowa
The latest renovation project completed by the Perry NUDGERS is the building at 1314-1316 Second Street in the Perry Historical District. This structure is an example of a commercial resource, whose architectural design is influenced by the Classical Revival style of architecture. This influence can be seen in the cornice across the top of the building and in the pilasters with capitals, which define the central bay of the second floor. The ribbon windows also hint at the influence of Chicago commercial architecture on the building. The selection of brick color, surface, texture, mortar color, and finish of the mortar joints shows how Perry’s merchants relished variety in the building materials they chose for commercial property. This is another significant architectural feature of the historic district.
The success of businesses housed at various times over the years since the construction of the Commercial Block in 1905 is an example of how transportation stimulated growth in Iowa communities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although First Avenue in Perry was designed as a wider street which handled significantly more traffic than Second Street, the Commercial Block was constructed at 1314-1316 Second Street because this location was the closest to the railroad depot and other railroad facilities a block and a half north of this location.
This beautiful, inviting building is a 2-story, commercial block, whose façade is clad with mottled buff and purple-colored brick of smooth surface texture and laid in light brown-colored mortar finished flush with the brick. The upper floor features two pilaster, capped with precast concrete capitals, which flank a centrally-placed window, metal cornice, and a parapet capped with tile coping. A series of ribbon windows is situated on each side of the paired pilasters. A belt of precast concrete divides the first and second floor windows. The entrance to the second floor of the building is situated on the south end of the building.
In 1911 the north side of the first floor of the Commercial Block housed the Busy Bee Café which was managed by Mr. Lambert. When the Busy Bee Café sold in 1926 this side of the building housed Velman Brothers Candy Kitchen which remained in this business location until 1945. In 1945 Al and Lucille’s Place opened to serve both food and alcoholic beverages. 1948 brought new owners to the north side of the building as The Spot Tavern opened. This tavern was open continually until 1971 by the same owner. In 1975 The Pastime opened at this location.
While various businesses were located on the north side of the structure, the 1314 Second Street address housed The Variety Store (5 and 10 cent store) from 1911 through 1948. Dewey’s Tavern opened in this part of the building in 1948 but by 1951 Dan’s Tavern was located at the 1314 address. Dan’s Tavern was open from 1951 until 1956 when The Rail Tavern was opened. The Rail was operated by the same owner until he sold to Eva Heisler in 1969. Ms. Heisler operated Lil’ Eva’s from 1969 through 1977. During this period in Perry’s history there was also the LeGourmet Restaurant and Bar across the street west of the Commercial Block. Many of these tavern owners held dart tournaments, pool tournaments, and had the occasional band music. In 1995 E. Gonzales opened The Tavern at both 1314 and 1316 Second Street. In 1998 the building was closed.
Because of the various ordinances in Perry regulating noise and alcohol the hours of operation of the businesses in the Commercial Block were such that the second floor could be used for apartments. With the entrance to the second floor on the south side of the building, renters had private entrances to apartments. The apartments were one bedroom apartments with beautiful natural wood throughout.
The Commercial Block/Kerns Building/Eagles Building (all names given to this one building) began the fall into disarray in 1998. The Order of Eagles purchased the structure hoping to have a meeting facility on the first floor with apartments on the second floor. However, with the decline in their membership and lack of in-kind workers as well as financial restraints their dreams of renovating/remodeling this structure never materialized. Again, the Perry NUDGERS came to the rescue and with grant preparation, historic tax incentives, donations and many hours of in-kind labor to bring this historic building into its original condition. The Perry Chief is now housed on the north side of the first floor and some of the second floor apartments are rented. This is just the most recent of the successful renovation/remodels in the Perry Historic/Cultural District several of which have been accomplished by the Perry NUDGERS.
The latest renovation project completed by the Perry NUDGERS is the building at 1314-1316 Second Street in the Perry Historical District. This structure is an example of a commercial resource, whose architectural design is influenced by the Classical Revival style of architecture. This influence can be seen in the cornice across the top of the building and in the pilasters with capitals, which define the central bay of the second floor. The ribbon windows also hint at the influence of Chicago commercial architecture on the building. The selection of brick color, surface, texture, mortar color, and finish of the mortar joints shows how Perry’s merchants relished variety in the building materials they chose for commercial property. This is another significant architectural feature of the historic district.
The success of businesses housed at various times over the years since the construction of the Commercial Block in 1905 is an example of how transportation stimulated growth in Iowa communities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although First Avenue in Perry was designed as a wider street which handled significantly more traffic than Second Street, the Commercial Block was constructed at 1314-1316 Second Street because this location was the closest to the railroad depot and other railroad facilities a block and a half north of this location.
This beautiful, inviting building is a 2-story, commercial block, whose façade is clad with mottled buff and purple-colored brick of smooth surface texture and laid in light brown-colored mortar finished flush with the brick. The upper floor features two pilaster, capped with precast concrete capitals, which flank a centrally-placed window, metal cornice, and a parapet capped with tile coping. A series of ribbon windows is situated on each side of the paired pilasters. A belt of precast concrete divides the first and second floor windows. The entrance to the second floor of the building is situated on the south end of the building.
In 1911 the north side of the first floor of the Commercial Block housed the Busy Bee Café which was managed by Mr. Lambert. When the Busy Bee Café sold in 1926 this side of the building housed Velman Brothers Candy Kitchen which remained in this business location until 1945. In 1945 Al and Lucille’s Place opened to serve both food and alcoholic beverages. 1948 brought new owners to the north side of the building as The Spot Tavern opened. This tavern was open continually until 1971 by the same owner. In 1975 The Pastime opened at this location.
While various businesses were located on the north side of the structure, the 1314 Second Street address housed The Variety Store (5 and 10 cent store) from 1911 through 1948. Dewey’s Tavern opened in this part of the building in 1948 but by 1951 Dan’s Tavern was located at the 1314 address. Dan’s Tavern was open from 1951 until 1956 when The Rail Tavern was opened. The Rail was operated by the same owner until he sold to Eva Heisler in 1969. Ms. Heisler operated Lil’ Eva’s from 1969 through 1977. During this period in Perry’s history there was also the LeGourmet Restaurant and Bar across the street west of the Commercial Block. Many of these tavern owners held dart tournaments, pool tournaments, and had the occasional band music. In 1995 E. Gonzales opened The Tavern at both 1314 and 1316 Second Street. In 1998 the building was closed.
Because of the various ordinances in Perry regulating noise and alcohol the hours of operation of the businesses in the Commercial Block were such that the second floor could be used for apartments. With the entrance to the second floor on the south side of the building, renters had private entrances to apartments. The apartments were one bedroom apartments with beautiful natural wood throughout.
The Commercial Block/Kerns Building/Eagles Building (all names given to this one building) began the fall into disarray in 1998. The Order of Eagles purchased the structure hoping to have a meeting facility on the first floor with apartments on the second floor. However, with the decline in their membership and lack of in-kind workers as well as financial restraints their dreams of renovating/remodeling this structure never materialized. Again, the Perry NUDGERS came to the rescue and with grant preparation, historic tax incentives, donations and many hours of in-kind labor to bring this historic building into its original condition. The Perry Chief is now housed on the north side of the first floor and some of the second floor apartments are rented. This is just the most recent of the successful renovation/remodels in the Perry Historic/Cultural District several of which have been accomplished by the Perry NUDGERS.