Property Record
1074 W Fond du Lac St
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Little White Schoolhouse |
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| Other Name: | LITTLE WHITE SCHOOLHOUSE |
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| Reference Number: | 27174 |
| Location (Address): | 1074 W Fond du Lac St |
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| County: | Fond du Lac |
| City: | Ripon |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1853 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2001 |
| Historic Use: | school-one to six room |
| Architectural Style: | Greek Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | PRATT & ATKINS |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Little White Schoolhouse |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 7/22/2024 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 5/24/2024 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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 Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. Builder was Alvan Bovay. CLAIMED AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. NHL. HABS WI-15. In 1908, this building was moved from its original location at Thorne and E. Fond du Lac streets to the northwest corner of Ripon College. Moved to its present location in 1954. This one-story Greek Revival influenced school was listed in the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark for its historical significance. This building became significant for a meeting that took place on the evening of March 20, 1854. The people at the meeting were mostly Whigs, Free Soilers, and Democrats who believed that their respective parties could not prevent the extension of slavery to the north. They came out of the schoolhouse in agreement that one unified front was crucial to the fight against slavery and thus began the Republican Party. In 1860, the schoolhouse was converted into a private residence. The schoolhouses' final owner, Miss Perrine, put the schoolhouse up for sale in 1908. At this time, Samuel Peddrick called the community's attention to the historical importance of the building. It was decided by a committee to purchase the schoolhouse and preserve it for the benefit of the community. In 2023, the building was moved from 305 Blackburn Street to 1074 W Fond du Lac St. The first three photos show the building at it's new 2023 location. The other two show the building at the previous location. |
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| Bibliographic References: | RIPON COMMONWEALTH PRESS 3/17/1994. RIPON COMMONWEALTH PRESS 2/23/1995. OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN 7/27/1995. OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN 10/13/1995. FOND DU LAC REPORTER 1/3/1996. APPLETON POST CRESCENT 1/16/1996. Take a Walk on Main Street: Historic Walking Tours in Wisconsin's Main Street Communities, Wisconsin Main Street Program, 1998. Fond du Lac Reporter 5/25/1999. Ripon Commonwealth Press 1/25/2001. Janesville Gazette 10/23/2003. Ripon Commonwealth Press 5/22/2003. Voyageur magazine Winter/Spring 2005. Ripon Historic Walking Tour brochure, 2015. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |