To the Editor:

A recent article about the downtown Stevens Point Journal building has spurred me to do something I’ve been meaning to do for some time. That building was completed the year after I opened an architectural office here. It was designed by Stevens Point native Bob Cashin, who had his own firm in Madison where he designed many fine buildings.

The Journal building, the library (no, a bank building), the Sentry building and the former WIAA office were the most distinctive examples of contemporary architecture around here at that time. The WIAA building was also designed by Cashin and was his favorite.

One of the outstanding features of the Journal building (my favorite) are the low windows just above the sidewalk, which allowed you to look down in the press room and watch those fantastic presses turn out the day’s paper.

I often did that, as did many others. It was a very unique and delightful feature. Despite its contemporary look, it fit in well with the downtown fabric.

In this architect’s view, Cashin was the best architect Wisconsin turned out since Frank Lloyd Wright. As I later found out, Cashin also designed several other buildings in Stevens Point, including some excellent contemporary houses. We became pretty good friends in his later years while he worked for Sentry, and I still miss talking architecture with him at the Old Silver Coach. You had a great career Bob, and you left some fine buildings.

Mike Metcalf

Stevens Point