Location: LaCrosse, Washington
Client: LaCrosse Community Pride
Project Dates: 2023-2025
Fee: $30,000
Size: 1,000 sq ft
Original Construction Date: 1936
The single-story Stone Service Station is a former service station uniquely constructed using stacked basalt stones bridged with masonry mortar. The basalt stones were collected from surrounding fields and acted as the most readily available building material. The original building was constructed in 1936 during the Great Depression. The original footprint consists of a 1,200 square-foot rectangular building, and the lean-to structure adds an additional 500 square feet. Based on preliminary observations, the roof framing system does not appear to be appropriately connected to the load-bearing stone masonry. Several rafters in the attic are in need of replacement due to an electrical fire that led to the building’s abandonment in the 1960s. The building sits adjacent to four stone bunkhouses, which were recently constructed.
Richaven was contracted by LaCrosse Community Pride to provide professional preservation services to develop conceptual designs and design recommendations for the rehabilitation of the service station. The building will become a cafe and museum mainly serving the adjacent bunkhouses. Richaven created a design that incorporates these two functions while satisfying ADA guidelines and maintaining the historic character of the building. To understand the existing conditions, Richaven had the building LiDAR scanned to create an as-built model that was modified for its new purpose.
Specific technical preservation issues include:
- Building reported abandoned in 1960’s
- Charred & smoke-damaged roof framing members
- Deep-set mortar and exposed stone profiles
- Roof framing system not properly fastened to masonry
- Historic wood window, glazing, glazing putty
- Restoration and repair of historic hardware