Badger Building
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Badger Building
| nrhp_type =
| image = Badger Building Racine WI.jpg
| caption =
| location = 610 Main St., Racine, Wisconsin
| coordinates = {{coord|42|43|36|N|87|46|58|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Wisconsin
| architect = Edmund Bailey Funston
| architecture = Prairie School
| added = December 3, 1980
| area = {{convert|1.2|acre}}
| refnum = 80000174{{NRISref|version=2010a}}
}}
The Badger Building, or M. Tidyman Building, is a historic office building in downtown Racine, Wisconsin. It is an example of Prairie style architecture, and was designed by prominent Racine architect Edmund Bailey Funston. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 3, 1980.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=80000174}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: The Badger Building |publisher=National Park Service|author=Robert P, Long and Susan E. Karr |date=October 17, 1979 |accessdate=April 8, 2017 }} With {{NRHP url|id=80000174|photos=y|title=photo from 1980}}.
History
The four-story brick and concrete structure was built in 1915, to house the Tidyman Candy Company, owned by confectioner Melvin Tidyman.[https://books.google.com/books?id=cyhYAAAAYAAJ&dq=melvin+tidyman+racine&pg=RA6-PA75 The American Contractor, Volume 36], 1915.[https://books.google.com/books?id=NUlEAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22melvin+tidyman%22+candy&pg=PA1110 Polk's Wisconsin State Gazetteer and Business Directory], 1921. At the time, the Racine Journal-News reported that its construction cost $55,000.Roberts, Lee B. [http://journaltimes.com/lifestyles/relationships-and-special-occasions/preservation-racine-honors-century-buildings/article_aa88de52-7798-56d2-be3e-6782ea11f238.html Preservation Racine honors Century Buildings], Racine Journal Times, May 16, 2015. \{{Archive url|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111095124/https://journaltimes.com/lifestyles/relationships-and-special-occasions/preservation-racine-honors-century-buildings/article_aa88de52-7798-56d2-be3e-6782ea11f238.html|date=2017-11-11}} During World War I, the building was used by the American Red Cross. It was purchased by attorney Joseph Muratore in 1964, and as of 2015 was owned by his son Joseph Jr. The building continues to be used primarily as office space, most prominently for graphic design firm Image Management.[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963814&dsRecordDetails=R:HI11072 Property Record], Wisconsin Historical Society July 2021 the building was acquired by Badger Building LLC Proprietor Kenneth Brown. It is now the home of EYEopenerZ, an upscale optical boutique, owned and operated by Mr Brown. Some modern renovations to the front facade are planned to restore the 1915 original as current regulations allow, to create ADA accessibility. Completion expected Spring of 2025.