DP Wigley Building

One of my favorite buildings to look at in Racine is the DP Wigley building, on Wisconsin Avenue near the Shoop Building and State Street Bridge.

According to DP Wigley’s website, the building dates from 1847! When you visit this store, you get a real sense of Racine history during the booming 19th century.

Racine Linseed Oil company in 1887

Racine Linseed Oil company in 1887

Looking North from the top of the Racine County Court House when it was located on Monument Square (circa 1905). The Shoop Building on State St. is at center and at lower left, the Racine Linseed Oil Works (D.P. Wigley Co) on Wisconsin Ave.

Looking North from the top of the Racine County Court House when it was located on Monument Square (circa 1905). The Shoop Building on State St. is at center and at lower left, the Racine Linseed Oil Works (D.P. Wigley Co) on Wisconsin Ave. (Dennis Tully)

If you go boating up the Root River, be sure to go past this building. It’s even bigger on the river side, and is covered with faded advertisements:

From the river side of the DP Wigley building, you can see how huge this former mill really is.

From the river side of the DP Wigley building, you can see how huge this former mill really is.

Close up showing the painted advertisements.

Close up showing the painted advertisements.

Here, I've enhanced the colors of the painted advertisements. The first advertisement on the left appears to say something about "Flour & Oil" but it's hard to really make out the first word. Notice that a large "DP Wigley" sign has been painted across this original advertisement.

Here, I’ve enhanced the colors of the painted advertisements.
The first advertisement on the left appears to say something about “Flour & Oil” but it’s hard to really make out the first word. Notice that a large “DP Wigley” sign has been painted across this original advertisement.

The largest signs are painted on the main part of the building with the sloped roof. The upper sign appears to be "Lil & Co." and mentions "Furniture, Stoves and Carpets", although it may actually be talking about DP Wigley. It's hard to say because the name looks like it's been painted over once or twice. The lower sign definitely says "DP Wigley Elevator Company" and mentions Ben Hur flour.

The largest signs are painted on the main part of the building with the sloped roof. The upper sign appears to be “Lil & Co.” and mentions “Furniture, Stoves and Carpets”, although it may actually be talking about DP Wigley. It’s hard to say because the name looks like it’s been painted over once or twice.
The lower sign definitely says “DP Wigley Elevator Company” and mentions Ben Hur flour.

This side of the DP Wigley building used to face a thriving factory district on other side of Root River.

D. P. Wigley obituary

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These bags were still being made into the 1960s – and probably began in the 1920s, perhaps without the coloration. We have one of these bags here at DP Wigley too, and still sell chicken scratch. Unfortunately, we now bag it in plastic. Warning, for those who don’t know: if you wash these old bags, the color will fade or wash out completely.
1888 view of the American Linseed Co. building which became the D. P. Wigley building later on.
Dennis Tully: This photo with a northerly view along the easterly side of the mighty Root River was taken about 1898. It appears that the freight train may be hauling a load of farming machinery possibly made by nearby J. I. Case Co. The Racine Linseed Oil Works building on Wisconsin St. was purchased by David Wigley in 1903 for his construction material and seed and feed business as the D. P. Wigley Co. The building to the right of the linseed works with the advertising painted on the bricks is the P. C. Christianson Livery and Feed building. That building was recently occupied by the now closed Littleport Brewery venture.
Dennis Tully: This photo with a northerly view along the easterly side of the mighty Root River was taken about 1898. It appears that the freight train may be hauling a load of farming machinery possibly made by nearby J. I. Case Co. The Racine Linseed Oil Works building on Wisconsin St. was purchased by David Wigley in 1903 for his construction material and seed and feed business as the D. P. Wigley Co. The building to the right of the linseed works with the advertising painted on the bricks is the P. C. Christianson Livery and Feed building. That building was recently occupied by the now closed Littleport Brewery venture.

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