220 W Main

1886/1883-1888 - R.C. & C.K. Hardware/Gnam Hardware

Italianate style
This is a splendid cast-iron-all metal front building, of extremely early date (second oldest surviving block), and the
only all-metal storefront in the town.  The facade design and materials might well be a hardware advertisement on
the part of its builder-occupant.  The building plan uses the expected combination of recessed wall-window panels
set beneath visually dominant vertical pilasters and it is possible that this treatment was later emulated by subsequent
local commercial block designers.  In this instance the vertical members are metal and are ornately varied in their
ornamentation.  The pilasters act in combination with free-standing round columns which flank each of the four
upper level window openings.  The cornice line steps out boldly with paired and end brackets and remarkably the
cornice line and triangular pediment still survive.
The pediment has been stripped of its raised lettering ("R. C." and "C. K."" on the pediment top, and
"HARDWARE" across the pediment base).  These initials have not been deciphered.  It is hoped that the transom
area survives intact beneath the vertical wooden covering.  The storefront proper has been replaced and it would
appear that the original iron column supports have been replaced by an I-beam support system.
This building represents the substantial development of the west end of Main Street and the north side of that street
in particular in the early 1880s.  While the surname of the original builders is undetermined, John and George Gaum
had their hardware business here by the  1880s and sold out to Neil Hageman in  1902