Property Record
CATHEDRAL PARK
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Immigrant Mother |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 17127 |
| Location (Address): | CATHEDRAL PARK |
|---|---|
| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1960 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 200420102021 |
| Historic Use: | statue/sculpture |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | |
| Architect: | Ivan Mestrovic |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | Last surveyed in 1980 with a map code of 9/3 on LUQS 393. 2010: Occupying an entire block, Cathedral Square Park is bounded by E. Kilbourn Avenue to the north, N. Jackson Street to the west, E. Wells Street tot he south and N. Van Buren Street to the east. Dominated by vegetation, the park features concrete walkways that lead to a centrally located, circular, concrete fountain. A sculpted stone statue, resting on a granite base, of a mother and two children includes the inscription, "Dedicated to the Valiant Immigrant Mothers" is located on the west end of the park. Modern playground equipment and a long-term temporary stage also reside on the property. Originally known as Courthouse Square in 1837, the parcel once contained the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Cathedral Park was renamed as such for St. John's Cathedral located to the east and across N. Jackson Street. The 6-foot bronze statue was sculpted by Ivan Mestrovic, a Yugoslavian immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1947. As of 1961, he was a professor of sculpture at the University of Notre Dame. The statue was a $30,000 gift to the County from William George Bruce, founder of Bruce Pub. Co., who died in 1949. 2021 - A bronze statue on a marble pedestal is located near the southwestern corner of the park. Sculpted in 1960 by Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrovic, the statue stands approximately 9 feet tall and depicts a woman holding a baby with a small child by her side. The pedestal is inscribed “Dedicated to the Valiant Immigrant Mothers by William George Bruce, Ivan Meštrovic: Sculptor.” |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | "Gift Statue at Milwaukee Park," Manitowoc Herald-Times, 25 July 1961, M-16. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |