The Village of Potosi is threatening to raze (demolish) a Federal style building constructed in 1843 in downtown Snake Hollow, Potosi Wisconsin. It is located at 107 North Main Street in Potosi.

On Monday, Jan 7, 2019 the village of Potosi Board voted to further investigate contractor costs to raze the building. The cost to raze the building would be paid for with taxpayer money, approx 30-50K.

The history of the building is rich and layered. It was built in 1843 by the stone mason William Henderson and the carpenter George Bell. It was first called the Henderson Building, then later named the Durley Building (1920's) and most recently, the Blue Spruce.

Several significant people and events have resided at this building. It was the location where Cole and Biddlecom began their practice in 1844. Later, 1849 Orasmus Cole became a Wisconsin State Supreme Court Judge. He served the longest as a judge, until recently, 2018. Orasmus Cole was known for his anti-slavery stance in law. 

In the 1850's, the building was also known as the White's House which was run by Mrs Mary White. The White's House was known for miles around to be the best accomodation in the driftless area. Many significant American patrons stayed there including Judge Dunn, Governer Dewey, Orasmus Cole, the first school teachers for the school in Potosi, Ulysses S. Grant, to name a few.

Some Key Significance Factors in preserving 107 N Main Street, Potosi Wisconsin

It is the oldest retail/residential/mixed use building in the county. (1843) It is one of the two oldest brick/stone properties in the Business District of Snake Hollow Potosi. It has a building foundation from 1841- a limestone blacksmith shop. The Henderson Building shared the stone walls of the blacksmith shop - north wall of building.

It is a contemporary to the Deniston House in Cassville.

It is older than the Potosi brewery (1852-54)- which is registered with National Historic Register.

Supreme Court Judge Orasmus Cole worked and lived there.

The Potosi Republican, a pre-state newspaper, possibly one of the first in the country, was written and printed in the Henderson Building.

The White’s House was known as a great hotel throughout the region and many significant American history contributors stayed there, including Ulysess S. Grant (stayed there several times)

Expenses to the Village of Potosi related to the Demolition of 107 N Main Street

1. Expenses for  the Village

The cost to demolish 107 N Main Street - 30-50K

The rubbish tonnage costs

Time and cost to city workers supervising

Lawyering Fees for contracts

2. Village loss of revenue  If there is no owner for the property than there is no building and no tax revenue.

3. Village political support loss

Village will not know what the a new owner would build.

The village of Potosi would communicate to its citizens that demolishing an historic urban building in Snake Hollow is allowed.

Keeping and restoring the Brewery decentralizes the idea of strengthening downtown/Snake Hollow/business district of Potosi.

Other information for saving and revitalization of the building:

The cost to restore 107 N Main street to a habitable state is much less in cost than the expenses stated by the building inspector on Thursday March 29, 2018.

The buildings story is not only exciting for citizens of Potosi but for tourists, history scholars, students, hotel guests, etc....