The Wenzil Taylor Building, constructed in 1871, is a notable historic structure located on Main Street in Spillville, Iowa. Commissioned by Wenzil Taylor, it originally served as a general merchandise store. The building is distinguished by its Italianate architectural style, featuring a brick façade complemented by side and rear walls of rubble limestone. Key design elements include brick arches with dressed limestone keystones, recessed brick panels, and brick pilasters. Notably, the bracketed cornice crowning the structure was a later addition, recreated during restoration efforts in the 1980s.
Situated in Spillville's original commercial district, the Wenzil Taylor Building stands as the last remaining commercial edifice from that era. After its tenure as a general store, the building was repurposed as a private residence before eventually being abandoned. Recognizing its historical and architectural significance, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Subsequent restoration in the 1980s transformed the building into a restaurant and inn, known as the Old World Inn, which featured traditional Czech cuisine.
The building's architectural significance is further underscored by its Italianate style, characterized by decorative brickwork and arched windows. This style is relatively rare in Spillville, making the Wenzil Taylor Building a unique example of mid-19th-century commercial architecture in the area.