Property Record
2525 N SHERMAN BLVD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Washington High School |
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| Other Name: | Washington High School |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 116939 |
| Location (Address): | 2525 N SHERMAN BLVD |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1916 |
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| Additions: | 1982 1969 |
| Survey Date: | 1979 |
| Historic Use: | school – elem/middle/jr high/high |
| Architectural Style: | Late Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Van Ryn & DeGelleke |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | North Sherman Boulevard Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 4/6/2004 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 10/17/2003 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: One of the most handsome 20th Century schools in the city. Constructed of light buff and tan brick with limestone trim, and designed in the Jacobethan mode. Construction date, 1913. (1) City of Milwaukee, Owner, 1913-Present. (1) "In 1907 Milwaukee's city limits ended five blocks east of the corner of Sherman and Clarke. Five years later the city's rapid westward expansion created a need for a northwest side high school. Washington High School began as a single wooden barrack erected next to the 38th Street School. Eighty-eight freshman made up the first class. Two years later, the number of barracks had multiplied and construction of the present building had begun. The English Tudor structure was designed by Milwaukee architects Van Ryn & De Gelleke. The firm also designed Riverside High School and Immanuel Reformed Church. The first graduates in 1915 had their commencement exercises in the nearby Methodist church. The first principal was George Balzer. The classes were a mix of ethnic groups, but German and Jewish names were the most common. Girls wore demure dresses and boys were expected to wear suits and ties. Although the school was known for it academic achievements and even boasted at one time of its own radio station (WWHS), athletics were not ignored. Pat Harder, a collegiate and pro football star, was among the prominent athletes. Coach Lisle Blackburn, a well admired faculty member, was also associated with Carroll College, Marquette University, the University of Wisconsin, and the Green Bay Packers. Graduates of the Class of 1952 who became business leaders and are also associated with athletics are U.S. Senator and Bucks owner Herb Kohl and auto dealer and Brewers owner Bud Selig." Historic Milwaukee Inc., Sherman Park Pride in Craftsmanship 13th Annual Spaces & Traces Tour Saturday, May 14, 1994, Souvenir Booklet. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1. Perrin, Richard, "Milwaukee Landmarks", (1968), p. 44. Historic Milwaukee Inc., Sherman Park Pride in Craftsmanship 13th Annual Spaces & Traces Tour Saturday, May 14, 1994, Souvenir Booklet. Spaces & Traces Home Tour: Grant & Sherman Boulevards, Diversity in Design, Historic Milwaukee Incorporated, May 8, 2004. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |