The bright colors of this arched window in downtown look like they could be straight out of the ‘80s. But wait, is that the 1880s or 1980s?
These colorful windows, and a complementary cornice, are on the circa 1885 building at 215 W. Van Buren Street. Stylistically, the upper half of the façade is an example of an Italianate commercial building, which was relatively common here and throughout the Midwest in the 1860s to 1890s.
Structures of the era often had a much broader palette of colors than may be thought of now, with new synthetic paints bringing a wide range of greens, blues, yellows, and reds to buildings. The paint scheme here is part of a recent update, but it is representative of what could have been applied in 1885.
Used by Trembley & McNear, manufacturers of harnesses and other leather goods, in the early 1900s, the building’s lower half dates from around the 1940s, when the building became home to Reed’s Shoes. Shoes & Moore took over from them in 1989 and continues in daily business.
Thank you to Nathan Bilger for providing the recent photos and valuable insights into the architectural history.
