Downtown in Lincoln in Lancaster County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

H. P. Lau Building

1904 (corner building); Cox & Schoentgen, architect

— 1906 (west annex); architect unknown —

H. P. Lau Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2022

1. H. P. Lau Building Marker

Inscription. In the early 20th century, Haymarket was the location of a half-dozen wholesale grocers, doing $4 million in trade over five states. This building housed one of them, the H. P. Lau Company, Lau was a German immigrant who began his grocery business in the late 1860s with a single box of lemons. After his death in 1897 his widow Friedericke led the company in constructing this three story, 48,000 square foot warehouse and office, designed by Cox & Schoentgen of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Especially noteworthy are the dark red terra cotta trim of the lower stories and subtle corbelling (stepping) out of the brickwork at the top of the walls to form a cornice.

The Lau Building was served by rail spurs on both the east and west sides. The west, midblock spur was enclosed within an addition in 1906, which housed the coffee roasting plant of the Lau Co.'s "Milady” brand. For nearly two decades these buildings were used in Russell Stover Candy Company's Haymarket operation.

Erected 2010 by Lincoln Haymarket Development Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 40° 48.946′ N, 96° 42.609′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Nebraska, in Lancaster

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County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Q Street and North 8th Street, on the right when traveling east on Q Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lincoln NE 68508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Seaton and Lea Ironworks (a few steps from this marker); Huber Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln Hide & Fur Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Humane Society Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Hardy Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stacy Brothers Building (about 400 feet away); Lincoln Drug Company Building (about 400 feet away); Ridnour Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.

Also see . . . H.P. Lau Coffee and Spice Annex. Excerpt:

The Lau Company used the new building for roasting and packaging its own “Milady” brand coffee. Later it was part of the Russell Stover Candy Company’s Haymarket operation, and then became home to Telesis Inc., a family of companies including Empyrean Brewing Co. and Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill.

(Submitted on November 26, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

H. P. Lau Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2022

2. H. P. Lau Building

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2022

3. H. P. Lau Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.