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National Register of Historic Places

Empire Block

On the National Register since 198541 years
Romanesque RevivalListed 1985Superior
DirectionsAdd an old photo

Many listed buildings are private homes. Please enjoy them from the street.

About

About Empire Block

Empire Block, at 1202--1208 Tower Ave., was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Jun 27, 1985. It was among the first 12 of Superior’s 15 listings, with seven others the same day. The Register lists it for its town planning, commerce and architecture, at the local level. It describes its style as Romanesque Revival, as it does for 29 other Wisconsin listings. It was listed as part of Speculative Commercial Blocks of Superior's Boom Period 1888-1892 TR. Five more Register listings are within a quarter mile.

What it isCommercial building in Superior, Wisconsin. From Wikidata (CC0). Read about it on Wikipedia ↗

PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 9 MB · National Archives↗
Through the years

1892 to today

  1. 1892Built
  2. 1985Added to the National Register of Historic Places
  3. 2026On the Register for 41 years
Visit

Make it a walk: 5 landmarks in about 10 minutes

1202--1208 Tower Ave., Superior · about 0.2 miles on foot, as the crow flies

DirectionsWalk the tour in Google Maps
  1. 1Empire BlockStart here
  2. 2Maryland BlockRomanesque · Built 1892 · next door
  3. 3Wemyss BuildingRomanesque · next door
  4. 4New York BlockVictorian Romanesque Revival · Built 1890 · next door
  5. 5New Jersey BuildingVictorian Romanesque · Built 1889 · next door
Around it

5 more Register listings within half a mile

★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.

BBerkshire BlockRichardsonian Romanesque · Built 18900.2 miBWashington BlockSullivanesque · Built 18910.3 miBMinnesota Block-Board of Trade Bldg.Romanesque Revival0.3 miBDouglas County CourthouseNeoclassical · Built 19190.4 miBTrade and Commerce BuildingRichardsonian Romanesque · Built 18900.4 mi
More like it

Romanesque Revival style, nearby

Other National Register listings within 25 miles described as Romanesque Revival.

Northern Block2.9 mi away
Chester Terrace5.3 mi away

Memories of Empire Block

The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.

Town Square →
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Questions about Empire Block

Is Empire Block on the National Register of Historic Places?

Yes. It was added on Jun 27, 1985 (Register number 85001467).

Is Empire Block a National Historic Landmark?

No. It is on the National Register; Wisconsin has 43 National Historic Landmarks. The nearest is Cooke, Jay, State Park CCC/Rustic Style Historic District, 13.6 miles away.

Can you visit Empire Block?

Our record doesn’t say whether it is open to visitors. Many listed buildings are private, so it may only be seen from the street.

Where can I read the history of Empire Block?

In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 9 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.

Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 106778874 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.