Property Record
1921 W GREENFIELD AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Charles Frantz & Sons Funeral Home |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 230088 |
| Location (Address): | 1921 W GREENFIELD AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1926 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2015 |
| Historic Use: | funeral home |
| Architectural Style: | Prairie School |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Lloyd William Ernst (architect) |
| Other Buildings On Site: | N |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Designed by Lloyd William Ernst, this building was constructed in 1926 as the Charles Frantz & Sons Funeral Home. Charles Frantz started his undertaking business in 1878 and retired from it in 1919. His son Paul took over the business then located on S. 2nd Avenue and moved it to the subject building. After 1960, it became known as the Frantz-Gamache Funeral Home under the direction of George Gamache. The building was converted into 4 apartments in 1978. 2015- "Rising two stories and topped with a hipped roof, this brick former funeral home is influenced by both the Period Revival and Prairie styles. The main entrance faces north and is located within a one-story, open entry block framed by brick piers and plain columns. Two large, round-arch window openings are located to either side of the entry. These openings display original, multi-light, leaded-glass transoms in the arches with the main portion infilled with downsized replacement double-hung sashes framed with wood. Patterned limestone surrounds each opening. The second floor is separated from the first by a limestone band and features a run of five, one-over-one, double-hung sashes above each pair of round-arch windows. Additional narrow round-arch windows without surrounds are found on the side elevations. Discolored brick on the east facade marks where either a canopy or porte-cochere (shown on Sanborn maps) has been removed. The building currently operates as an apartment building. Designed by Lloyd William Ernst, this building was constructed in 1926 as the Charles Frantz & Sons Funeral Home. Charles Frantz started his undertaking business in 1878 and retired from it in 1919. His son Paul took over the business then located on S. 2nd Avenue and moved it to the subject building. After 1960, it became known as the Frantz-Gamache Funeral Home under the direction of George Gamache. The building was converted into four apartments in 1978." - "W. Greenfield Ave, S 35th St (west) to S. Cesar Chavez Dr (east)", WISDot #2230-00-04, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (Faltinson), (2015). |
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| Bibliographic References: | Sanborn Maps; City Directories; “Charles Frantz, Mortician, Dies,” Milwaukee Journal, 6 November 1928, Part 2, Page 1; Building permit. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |