HISTORIC WISCONSIN ARCHITECTURE FIRS T REVISED EDITION Historic WISCONSIN A rchi tee tu re F I R S T REV I SED EDITION by RICHARD W. E. PERRIN, F.A.l.A. IN COOPERA TION \\/ITH GORDO D. ORR, JR., A.I.A. F~ o 10 1977 & JEFFREY M. DEAN ,,111 1111 111,,, ,,\' of Mtc ,,,,, ,,,~x., ••· •••• 'f..;/c;("', .::":-~, - --·· ••• ~ "'=-.... ..:;0 ••• JO riN V. \ ~~ :::..:- .,,.* ; • ui:ri:NDtR~ l"' -- - FE R •• ...__. -:.= § _; : ARCHITECT : *it ~ ::*·0 : :: -:. ?J • No. • ~ :: ~~·. 17"03 ... ~~ --:..... 0:··. ~ .. ·~,... ............ .sl'" •.••••• c-<-' ,,'' PUBLISHED BY ,,,, pS~ ,,,, ,,,,,,'/?£0 l,,1' WISCONSIN SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS '"111 1 OF THE AMER ICAN INSTITUTE OF ARC HITECTS COPYRIGHT © 1976 BY THE WISCONSIN SOCIETY OF ARC HITECTS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS 788 NORTH JEFFERSON STREET MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53202 PKICF T\\"O DO L I AKS 2 Contents FOREWORD .... ..... ............ .... .. .... 5 HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION . ..... ..... 7 STATE MAP . .. ..... .... ..... ... ... ....... 9 MAP OF SOUTHEAST AREA . ... ... ... IO SOUTHEAST AREA . ................ 11-19 MAP OF SOUTHWEST AREA ....... ..... .. 20 SOUTHWEST AREA . .. .. ..... .... ...... 21-31 MAP OF NORTHEAST AREA . .... ... .... 32 NORTHEAST AREA ...... ............ 33-35 MAP OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN . ....... 36 WORK OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT , LOUIS SU LLIVAN, PURCELL & ELMSLIE . .. ......... 37-40 3 4 Foreword The o rigi nal edition of this guidebook on "Historic Wisco nsin Architec­ ture" was published in 1960 as a project of the Wisconsin C ha pter of the American Institute of Architects. The origina l intent a nd hope that this g ui debook would engender interest in Wisconsin 's historic architecture a mong its users m ust have been met as the original printing has long since been depleted. The Wisconsi n Society of Architects ' office continues to receive requests for a book of this nature.which prompted the .A.IA 's Com­ mittee on Historic Reso urces to republish the g uidebook as a Bicentennial year proj ect. The o riginal author. Ri chard W . E. Perrin, FAIA, who has for many years been responsible fo r call ing the atlentio n o f o ur citi1ens to \Viscon­ sin 's architectural heritage, read ily agreed to pa rt icipate in this task. He. Jeffrey M . Dean and I reviewed the original publication, updated it to re­ flect changes that had taken place, a nd added additional structures which we felt worthy of inclusion. In presenting this guidebook we are fully aware that it is nol a complete catalog o f every building of historic or architectura l importance in Wisco n­ sin. One may find additional buildings listed in the National Register of Histo ric Places for Wisconsin or o ne may consult with local la ndmark com­ m issions, where they exist, to fin d local walking tours where concent rations of importa nt buildings exist. T he book, however, provides a generous c r o~s­ section of buildings, building style:; , and materials employed since pio neer days. The ma ps a nd building locatio ns could easily suggest a leisurely a uto­ mo bile tour of sectio ns o f the state where these fi ne buildings ma y be seen. T he names o f building owners have been om itted and historir identification of the building has been used. 5 By including a building within this guidebook it is not our intention to indicate that it is open to visitors but rather we hope that the visitor will re­ spect the rights of ownership and not invade a homeowner's privacy. Some buildings are public structures and their inspection undoubtedly is possible during posted hours. We hope that the historic and factual information contained in this guide­ book is accurate, as primary sources were checked wherever possible. How­ ever, the authors and the Wisconsin Society of Architects of the American Institute of Architects and the publishers cannot assume legal liability for the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein, nor do they assume any legal responsibility for the appreciation or depreciation in the value of any of the premises vested herein by reason of their inclusion in this guidebook . Wisconsin owes a debt to Richard W. E. Perrin, FAIA, not only for his untiring efforts in originally compiling this guidebook and other publica­ tions relating to the architecture of Wisconsin, but also for his unfailing and strong efforts to create a living outdoor museum of ethnic architecture in Old World Wisconsin. Mr. Perrin is indeed a heroic figure in the documen­ tation of Wisconsin's architectural history. We hope that this guidebook will be useful and pro fi table to the reader and hel pful in o ffering a means of providing knowledge about our heritage. This may instill desire in the reader to participate in his local landmark acti­ vities or to support important historic preservation causes within his own community. It is with these goals that we offer this guidebook for your use. GORDON D. ORR, JR., AIA Chairman Committee on Historic Resources Wisconsin Society of Architects The American Institute of Architects Madison, Wisconsi n October 1976 6 Introduction to Original Edition Originally a pan of the old Northwest Territory, and successively a part o f the Indiana, Illinois, a nd Michigan territories, Wisconsin became a sepa­ rate territory in 1836 and in 1848 was admitted to the Union as the 30th state, with boundaries as they exist today. While settlements had been established prior to 1836, especially in the orbit of the three major pio neer centers- Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Min­ eral Point-and while the frontier actually continued to push into the nor­ thern Wisconsin woodlands until the end of the century, a recognizable body of early Wisconsin architecture emerged about 1835, and, except for chrono­ logical overlapping which characterizes every architectural epoch, seems to have terminated in the welter of Victorian eclecticism which followed the Civil War- about 1870. In building t he first houses and barns, the early settlers of both European and American origin made expedient use of timber the surro unding forests so bountifully provided. These first buildings were cabins of round or squared logs with which the settlers coming from parts of Germany and Scandinavia were quite familiar. Pennsylvania Germans and Yankees made a fresh in­ troduction of the log house after its prolific use in the East a centu ry earlier in what was then the frontier. Early churches also were built of logs, a nd a fe w specimens have survived lo the present time. German half-timber work appeared during the second quarter of the 19th century as a unique archi­ tectural expression wit hout parallel in America. 7 In the wake of the earliest pioneer buildings, Greek Revival and Gothic Revival influences began to appear, and Wisconsin is not lacking in excel­ lent examples of these two important architectura l movements. Terminal Colonial influence, the Octagon fad, and Victorian eclecticism also made their impression on early Wisconsin architecture. Emerging also was the professionally trained architect, gradually detaching himself from the car­ penter-architects and gentlemen amateurs who had preceded him. Being blessed with a great variety of useful and beautiful natural stone, early Wisconsin archi tecture offers studies in the use and crafting of lime­ stone, sandstone, and granite, which may have been equalled, but never excelled anywhere in the country . Cornish, Welsh, Irish, and German stone­ masons left their mark on Wisconsin. Excellent deposits of clay and shale also gave rise to brick-building of great distinction. Within the limited scope of this booklet we have attempted to give a cap­ sule delineation of historic Wisconsin architecture as expressed in style and material by pioneer builders and craftsmen, both amateur and professional. Drawing upon a fund of over 600 collected examples, we have chosen those which seemed most typical and which wo uld also show preservation possi­ bilities both in terms of accomplished restorations as well as for neglected but important structures clearly in need and deserving of preservation a nd restoration. RICHARD W. E. PERRIN, F.A.l.A. August 1960 8 SOUTH EAST STATE OF WISCONSIN SHOWING AREAS OF PR INCIPAL CONCENTRATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS 9 MILES E=-3 I 20 DBeover Dom ILLINOIS SOUTHEAST AREA 10 SOUTHEAST 1. KUEHNEMAN HOUSE RACINE 1135 S. Main St. Probably designed hy Lucas Bradley, A rchitect for Eli Cooley, Mayor of Racine. c. 1853. Home of J udge Dyer, 1871- 1892, later of Taylor Family. Wood, Greek Revival, Doric tetraprostylc porticocd, two story building nanked by I Y, story wings. Restored by Mr. and Mrs. Kuehnema n. Private residence. 0 2. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH RACINE Corner 7th St. & College Ave. Designed by Lucas Bradley, Architect. Erected 1851. Greek Revival. Local buff-colored brick walls divided into five bays by pilasters. Doric distyle recessed portico. Ionic colonnaded wooden octagonal tower remi­ niscent of London spires by Wren and Gibbs. 3. COOPER HOUSE WATERFORD VICINITY On State Highway 20 , I Y2 miles west of Waterford. Built by James Cooper of New York State c. 1840. Wood, Greek Revival, with longitudinal recessed porch o n main 1 Vi story building and one story n anking wing. Sma ll windows in frieze under cor­ nice. Private residence. 4. ELA HOUSE ROCHESTER Just east of Fox River bridge and inter­ section State Highway 189 and 36. Built in 1838 by Richard Emerson Ela, carriage and wagonmaker of Leba non, New Hamp­ shire. Wood, modified Greek Revival two story building with unsymmetrical eleva­ tions a nd one story wing at southwest cor­ ner. Denticulated cornice and main e n­ 0 trance pediment. Private re~iden ce. 11 SOUTHEAST 5. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH BURLINGTON 500 Mc Henry St. Designed by Victor Schulte, Architect. Erected 1860 in modified Gothic Re­ vival style.