Property Record
526-532 E WISCONSIN AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 16181 |
| Location (Address): | 526-532 E WISCONSIN AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1906 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | small office building |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Limestone |
| Architect: | FERRY AND CLAS |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. Alexander Mitchell started the Northwestern National Insurance Company in 1869. As one of the first insurance companies to employ independent agents and issue tornado insurance, Northwestern National became one of Milwaukee’s most prominent companies. From offices in the Mitchell Building, Northwestern weathered claims from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Its move to a third home, the new Beaux Arts style offices on East Wisconsin, coincided with the Great San Francisco earthquake. While the resulting fire obliged Northwestern National to pay nearly one-half million in damages, its profits paid for Milwaukee’s finest carved stonework, elegant architectural design, and ornate craftsmanship. Ferry and Clas added French design elements to the Northwestern National building, from the French Baroque wrought bronze railings by Cyril Colnik trimming the first story windows to its mansard roof. Built with Bedford Sandstone. "When they designed Northwestern National, George Bowman Ferry and Alfred C. Clas were already celebrated in Milwaukee for their work on the Milwaukee Public Library, the tower of St. John's Cathedral, the First Unitarian Church, and the Frederick Pabst residence, now the Catholic Archdiocesan mansion. In the present building they chose to follow the predominant classical trend of the time and created an elegant example of the French Renaissance Revival style." Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia Palmer for the University of Wisconsin Extension Division, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Juneautown Walking Tour, 1965. |
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| Bibliographic References: | ZIMMERMAN, 38. MILWAUKEE JOURNAL 8/16/1992. BUILT IN MILWAUKEE, LANDSCAPE RESEARCH, P. 85. MILWAUKEE HISTORIC BUILDINGS TOUR: JUNEAUTOWN, CITY OF MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT, 1994. Perrin, Milwaukee Landmarks, 55. Evening Wisconsin, May 21, 1904 Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript. Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia Palmer for the University of Wisconsin Extension Division, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Juneautown Walking Tour, 1965. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |