City of Beloit, Wisconsin
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City of Beloit, Wisconsin Architectural and Historical Intensive Survey Report By Rowan Davidson, Associate AIA Robert Short, Associate AIA & Jennifer L. Lehrke, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB Legacy Architecture, Inc. 605 Erie Avenue, Suite 101 Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53081 Project Director Joseph R. DeRose, Survey & Registration Historian Wisconsin Historical Society Division of Historic Preservation – Public History 816 State Street Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Sponsoring Agency Wisconsin Historical Society Division of Historic Preservation – Public History 816 State Street Madison, Wisconsin 53706 2015-2016 Acknowledgments This program receives Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability or age in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of the Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, and 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. The activity that is the subject of this Intensive Survey Report has been financed entirely with Federal Funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior and administered by the Wisconsin Historical Society. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior or the Wisconsin Historical Society, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior or the Wisconsin Historical Society. The authors would like to thank the following persons or organizations for their assistance in completing this project: Wisconsin Historical Society City of Beloit Jim Draeger, State Historic Preservation Officer Alex Morganroth, Planner Daina Penkiunas, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Beloit College Peggy Veregin, National Register Coordinator LeeAnn Ryan, Facilities Office Manager Joseph R. DeRose, Survey & Registration Historian Tim Schmiechen, Director of Athletics & Recreation Fred Burwell, Archivist Landmarks Commission John Glennan, Student Alex Blazer Teri J. Kay Ana Kelly Donna Johnson Ellen Joyce Stephen Truesdale Ruth Vater Steve Vollmer All photographs contained in this report were taken by Legacy Architecture, Inc. unless otherwise noted. 1 Abstract This report documents an architectural and historical intensive survey of resources located within the boundaries of the City of Beloit, Wisconsin as of 2015. A reconnaissance survey of this area was conducted by the principal and assistant investigators as the first part of the survey. After which, a research effort was conducted to ascertain the architectural and historical significance of the resources identified during the reconnaissance survey. The resulting products of the project were produced according to standards set by the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Division of Historic Preservation and include the following: Intensive Survey Report The intensive survey report includes a summary of the research and a brief history of the community. It provides a historical context for the evaluation of historic resources and serves as a means for identifying significant properties, complexes, and districts eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. It also contains recommendations for future survey and research needs, priorities for National Register listing, and strategies for historic preservation. Survey and District Maps Survey maps indicate all previously and newly surveyed properties as well as properties already listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Complex and district maps identify boundaries and all resources in the potential complexes and districts. These maps are included in the Survey Results Chapter in this intensive survey report. Electronic Documents The Wisconsin Historical Society’s website contains an electronic database, called the Architecture and Historic Inventory (AHI), for all inventoried properties. Also, an electronic copy of this report is saved on compact disc and held at the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Rock County Courthouse. 1 Table of Contents Contents Page Abstract ....................................................................................................................1 Table of Contents .....................................................................................................2 Chapter 1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................4 Chapter 2 Survey Methodology ................................................................................................6 Chapter 3 Historical Overview ...............................................................................................14 Chapter 4 Government............................................................................................................18 Chapter 5 Agriculture .............................................................................................................20 Chapter 6 Industry ..................................................................................................................22 Chapter 7 Transportation ........................................................................................................26 Chapter 8 Architecture............................................................................................................28 Chapter 9 Education .............................................................................................................114 Chapter 10 Social & Political Movements .............................................................................120 Chapter 11 Religion ................................................................................................................122 Chapter 12 Commerce ............................................................................................................126 Chapter 13 Planning & Landscape Architecture ....................................................................132 Chapter 14 Recreation & Entertainment ................................................................................134 Chapter 15 Notable People .....................................................................................................138 Chapter 16 Bibliography ........................................................................................................142 Chapter 17 Survey Results .....................................................................................................146 Chapter 18 Recommendations ................................................................................................202 Chapter 19 Notes ....................................................................................................................208 Chapter 20 Appendix ..............................................................................................................214 Building Support for Local Historic Preservation Incentives for Historic Preservation Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in Wisconsin Creating a Preservation Ethic in Your Community Planning a Local Historic Preservation Program Historic Preservation Ordinances and Commissions in Wisconsin How to Gain Commission Credibility Benefits of Local Historic Preservation Ordinances Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Tax Incentive for Income-Producing Historic Buildings Wisconsin Historic Homeowners Tax Credit Program Guidelines for Planning Historic Preservation Tax Credit Projects 2 This page intentionally left blank. 3 Introduction 1 The Wisconsin Historical Society received a Historic Preservation grant-in-aid from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior disbursed to the City of Beloit to hire Legacy Architecture, Inc., an architectural and historic preservation consulting firm based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to conduct an intensive survey of architecturally and historically significant resources within the boundaries of the City of Beloit, Wisconsin. The major objective of the project was to identify structures, complexes, and districts of architectural or historical significance that are potentially eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The survey was executed during the period from October 2015 to July 2016 by Principal Investigators Rowan Davidson and Robert Short with editorial assistance by Jennifer L. Lehrke and clerical assistance by Gail Biederwolf, all of Legacy Architecture, Inc. It consisted of several major work elements: completing a reconnaissance survey, conducting research, evaluating resources, and preparing an intensive survey report. The boundaries of the survey were delineated as shown on the Survey Boundaries Map at the end of chapter 2. The survey identified approximately 974 resources of architectural and historical interest as well as 5 potential complexes and 2 potential historic districts. While resources include a number of commercial, industrial, civic, religious, educational, institutional, and recreational properties, the majority of the surveyed resources are houses. The purpose of this survey report was not