Wirth Building
The Wirth Building viewed from the southeast
Wirth Building is located in Duluth
Wirth Building
Wirth Building is located in Minnesota
Wirth Building
Wirth Building is located in the United States
Wirth Building
Location13 W. Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota
Coordinates46°47′12″N 92°5′56″W / 46.78667°N 92.09889°W / 46.78667; -92.09889
AreaLess than one acre
Built1886
ArchitectOliver G. Traphagen, George Wirth
Architectural styleRichardsonian Romanesque
Part ofDuluth Commercial Historic District (ID98001220)
NRHP reference No.91000896[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 25, 1991
Designated CPMay 31, 2006

The Wirth Building is a commercial building in downtown Duluth, Minnesota, United States. When it was constructed in 1886 it was the city's first example of Richardsonian Romanesque style, and it stands as an early work of architect Oliver G. Traphagen.[2] The Wirth Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 for its local significance in the theme of architecture.[3] It was nominated for being a leading local example of its architectural style and a key turning point in the career of an important Duluth-based architect.[2]

The building was commissioned by Max Wirth to house his pharmacy business. Wirth's brother George happened to be one of Minnesota's best-known architects at the time, and had just forged a partnership with his star employee Traphagen.[4] Evidence is lacking to say which of the two partners might have been more responsible for the building, which was a stylistic departure for both.[2] Shortly after the building was completed, Wirth moved back to his native Bavaria while Traphagen remained in Duluth and became its premier architect.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Turbes, Larry M. (1991-03-05). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Wirth Building". National Park Service. Retrieved 2018-06-16. With nine accompanying photos from 1991
  3. ↑ "Wirth Building". Minnesota National Register Properties Database. Minnesota Historical Society. 2009. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
  4. 1 2 Dierckins, Tony; Maryanne C. Norton (21 April 2017). "Wirth Block". Zenith City Press. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.