It’s the second Tuesday of the month, so it’s back to our regularly scheduled program! It’s time for WHAT! Let’s head just outside of downtown to 628 East Jefferson Street – the Paul F. Stolze Building, or as some may know it, the Fine Clock Shop.
Although the building says 1907, the building goes back a bit further to the late 1880s. The history is a bit murky, but it seems the building may have had a fire and Stolze re-built the building in 1907. It shows an Italianate style (note the roofline details in the photos) with textured metal siding. An unusual feature is the side entrance. The building has room for business on the first level, and living quarters on the second floor.
Paul Stolze (1868-1961) came to Wausau from Germany with his family when he was 14 in 1882. He was trained in bookbinding and printing, and he joined his Dad, Gustave, in the family business, Stolze and Son. Gustave purchased Der Deutche Pionier, a local German newspaper. When Gustave died Paul took over both the bookbinding and printing shop and the newspaper. In 1907 he moved the businesses into the building in 7th and Jefferson. Paul sold off the newspaper in early 1917, but the bookbinding and printing continued until about 1980.
In early 1982 the Dettmanns purchased the building as a new home for their Fine Clock Shop. After renovating the building they moved into their new shop in late 1982. They retained much of the building’s character, and were even recognized for their work. In addition to the huge selection of clocks in the store visitors may remember a large German stein collection, and a doll collection numbering more than 300! In about 2005 the Fine Clock Shop closed.
Today it is the home of 3D Lab Properties, which is a dental lab.
