Sunday, January 4, 2009

Sioux City History and Culture by Bicycle Part 108: William Labarth Steele Part 3: Davidson Building

Built in 1913 by brothers owners Ben, Dave and Abe Davidson the Davidson Building was designed by William L. Steele, with money from Arthur Sanford and stands as one of the finest examples of Sullivanesque Architecture in Sioux City. Standing on the NE corner of 6th and Pierce Streets it is a commercial building very popular with lawyers and it houses Pecaut and Company, a longtime Sioux City stock brokerage firm. The building is also home to a very good Japanese resteraunt called Fuji Bay.

The Davidson Building was the first building in Sioux City contructed specifically for for office use. Built in buff colored roman brick and terra cotta at a cost of $450,000.

The Davidson brothers came to Sioux City in 1882 and began their business as street vendors selling tin-ware. In 1891 they opened a department store at the corner of 4th and Pierce Streets and succeeded in becoming among the city's leading businessmen. The department store was demolished in the 1970's and the Davidson Building is the only remaining commercial property associated with the Davidson brothers. Notable terra cotta features include a highle decorative cornice, medallions with lion heads, a shield and floral pattern, and beneath each window, a letter "D" set on a field of 18 carat gold leaf.

The Davidson Building was place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Here is the info.:
Davidson Building (added 1999 - Building - #99000736)
505 6th St., Sioux City
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Lytle Construction Company, Steele, William LaBarthe
Architectural Style: Early Commercial
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade
Historic Sub-function: Business
Current Function: Commerce/Trade
Current Sub-function: Business

The Davidson Building is also part of the Terra Cotta and Pierce Street Walking Toursof Sioux City.

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