WHAT? That’s right it’s time for Wausau Historical Architecture Tuesday. We wandered a little further down 3rd Street to the corner of DeKalb and Third Streets – Koschmann General Store or Stone Office Service.
Bernard Koschmann and wife, Emma, started their store in 1888 at a different location, and then decided to build a new place at this location. This original building burned in 1900, but they built again. This building was built in 1900 in a commercial vernacular style – the original building did not include the wing to the south, which was added in the 1920s. It has undergone many changes to its facade over the years- but most recently has been brought back to brick.
The Koschmanns had nine sons that helped in the store through the years. And made it possible to keep the store in the family for more than 50 years- bringing it from a simple grocery store to a larger general merchandise store.
The building has seen a number of owners since the Koschmann family. Here is a general timeline for this building:
1900 – 1917: Koschmann’s (Bernard and Emma Koschmann)
1918 – 1926: Koschmann’s (Emma Koschmann)
1927 – 1953: Koschmann’s (WH and Ida Koschmann)
1954- about 1964: Lippen’s Office Supply (Sydney Lippen). In 1961 it also lists Stillmank’s Women’s Clothing (Jesse Fusfeld)
1965 – about 2008: Stone Office Supply (Robert Stone). Stillmank’s becomes Miljay’s Bridal by 1970 (Jesse Fusfeld). But by 1985 it was just Stone’s. In 2004 Network Professionals was listed, as well.
Another bridal shop, With This Ring, called it home for a bit. Currently it is home to Junion Photography (Dave Junion)
