La Crosse in La Crosse County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

George Zeisler Building

December 1, 2024

1. George Zeisler Building Marker

Inscription. This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

City of La Crosse Historic Site Marker:
George Zeisler Building
Plank Road Brewery/Saloon
1886
Italianate Style

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 43° 48.748′ N, 91° 15.261′ W. Marker is in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in La Crosse County. It is at the intersection of Pearl Street and 2nd Street South, on the right when traveling west on Pearl Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Pearl St, La Crosse WI 54601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and

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the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Powell Place (within shouting distance of this marker); La Crosse Players (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic River Gauge (about 800 feet away); 4th and Main (approx. 0.2 miles away); Front and State (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Building in La Crosse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spence Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pump House of City Waterworks-1880 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Crosse.

Also see . . . Wisconsin SP Zeisler, George, Building - National Archives Catalog. From the National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet (1993):

Statement of Significance:

"The George Zeisler Building is ... a well preserved example of an Italianate styled commercial building constructed in the 1880s in the City of La Crosse. This small, red brick, commercial building exhibits the characteristic low roof pitch and the elaborate
December 1, 2024

2. City of La Crosse Historic Site Marker
metal bracketed cornices associated with the Italianate Commercial style, which was popular in Wisconsin generally until the 1880s. The Zeisler building, constructed without the charactistic window ornament, is typical of the vernacular interpretation of the Italianate style that continued to be constructed by contractors and builders in many Wisconsin cities until the turn of the century. The Zeisler building, constructed by local contractors in 1886, is one of several Italianate influenced buildings constructed during La Crosse's 1880s boom period (La Crosse, City Tax Records, 1885-1887; La Crosse Daily Republican and Leader, 4 September 1886, 20 September 1886, 30 September 1886). It is among the best preserved examples of the Italianate style in the historic commerical district of La Crosse that were built in the 1880s boom period as well as in the 1870s and the 1890s.

The Zeisler Building was constructed in 1886 in place of a small frame building previously on the site. This building, conveniently located across the street from the newly constructed Chicago Burlington Railroad passenger and freight depots, was constructed for
December 1, 2024

3. George Zeisler Building & Marker
George Zeisler, the owner of the local Plank Road Brewery, as a 'sample room' for the products manufactured by his brewery. The small brick building constructed in 1909 at the rear of the Zeisler building was legally incorporated into the Zeisler building property in 1923 (La Crosse, City Tax Records, 1900-1918; La Crosse County, Deed, 137:440; 113:312). Typicallly, both of these small commercial buildings were constructed with residential quarters on their upper floors."

(Submitted on January 8, 2025.)

George Zeisler Building & Markers image. Click for full size.

December 1, 2024

4. George Zeisler Building & Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2025. This page has been viewed 334 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 8, 2025.