Contact: Kara O’Keeffe
kara.okeeffe@wisconsinhistory.
608-261-9596
Milwaukee, Wis. – The Wisconsin Historical Society placed the West St. Paul Avenue Industrial Historic District (Milwaukee, Milwaukee County) on the State Register of Historic Places on December 01, 2017.
The West St. Paul Avenue Industrial Historic District represents the period of industrial growth and prominence of the Menomonee River Valley as an integral part of the city of Milwaukee’s industrial history from the 1880s to the 1950s. The majority of construction within the district took place during a period of rapid economic development and expansion in Milwaukee manufacturing during the early and mid-twentieth century. The West St. Paul Avenue District was primarily occupied by thriving businesses that produced a wide range of products from tin ware to wood products and from heating supplies to electronic controls. The district is also differentiated by the presence of several architect designed buildings, including a late nineteenth century tavern, which served the workers in the area.
The district is significant for its collection of industrial buildings and represents a range of design influences. Many buildings simply reflect the forms used in the design of industrial buildings while others have stylistic characteristics which identify them as being an example of a particular architectural style. Stylistic influences in the district include Queen Anne, Neo-Gothic Revival, Twentieth Century Commercial, and Contemporary styles.
The State Register is Wisconsin’s official list of state properties determined to be significant to Wisconsin’s heritage. The State Historic Preservation Office at the Wisconsin Historical Society administers both the State Register and National Register in Wisconsin.
To learn more about the State and National Register programs in Wisconsin, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
About Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org