Building Information

Site
Kress, Knox, Welsh-Levy Buildings
445 – 465 Third Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana


Orientation
The buildings, located two blocks east of the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge, are situated on the corner of Third and Main St. facing east. The Welsh Levy building also fronts to the north.


Access
Main entrances are on Third St. for the Kress and Knox buildings and Laurel St. for the Welsh Levy building. Fire stairs are located in the Kress and Welsh Levy buildings on either side of the Knox Building exiting onto Third Street. Roof access is available for the Kress and Knox buildings.

Historical Significance | Style
All three buildings are listed on the Louisiana Register of Historic Places. The Kress building has specific historic significance as it was the site of a 1960 civil rights protest by Southern University students at the lunch counter of the five and dime.

The two- to four-story Kress building, thought to be constructed in 1887, was originally a two-story commercial building. By 1947, a rear wing was acquired creating the building's "L" shape and another facade was added. (The Third Street side is registered as two stories, while the Main Street side is registered as four.) The former "five-and-dime" store is recognizable for its Art Deco facade and the "Kress" name in Arts and Crafts lettering.

The two-story Knox Building, constructed in 1887, is revered for its survival. Though it has lost its original shop front, Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation information says its second story, where many of the original Italianate details are intact (like the cast-iron cornice and rooftop pediment), is particularly invaluable.

Also built in the 1887-89 range, the Welsh-Levy Building is a three-story, plaster over brick structure richly detailed with corbelled caps, cast-iron lintels and ornamented brackets. By 1900, the building was home to the Reymond general mercantile emporium, becoming Welsh and Levy Men's Clothing in 1915. By 1970, the building was vacant.

Frayer, Marissa. "Making New Histories." Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, The 11 20 2007 23 Oct 2008 .