Property Record
101 OAK ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Kaukauna Public High School |
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| Other Name: | Kaukauna Public High School |
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| Reference Number: | 51852 |
| Location (Address): | 101 OAK ST |
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| County: | Outagamie |
| City: | Kaukauna |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1922 |
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| Additions: | 1933 1953 1958C. 1963 |
| Survey Date: | 1993 |
| Historic Use: | school – elem/middle/jr high/high |
| Architectural Style: | Late Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Parkinson and Dockendorff |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | Two 'site files' Kaukauna Island #4 Historic District & Kaukauna Public High School) exist for this property. They contain additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. They are public records and may be viewed in person at the State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. The Kaukauna Public High School consists of several brick buildings lcoated on Oak Street between Island and Lawe streets. The oldest building, constructed in 1922 by contractors Hayes and Langdon of Janesville for $150,000 and the Civic Auditorium and gymnasium, built about twelve years later, exemplify Collegiate Gothic architecture. The long rectangular 1922 structure faces the Fox River to the north and is three stories high. Its facade is broken into vertical divisions by a series of pilasters which alternate between rectangular multi-paned windows. The composition is visually balanced by a stone belt course above the third floor windows and by stone sills beneath each window. Dominating the front facade is a projecting central entranceway which has a recessed arch with stone carvings over its doorway and three thin vertical windows below a decorative design motif. In recent years, most of the upper level window panes have been enclosed. The interior plan consists of a central corridor running east and west, classrooms flank this main hallway. The main staircase breaks off into two staircases leading to the upper floors. The third (top) floor ceiling displays two large skylights with stained glass panes. The Auditorium and gymnasium, built in 1933-34, as part of the public works project #7204, has a triple entranceway which is now obscured by a metal canopy. Thin pilasters terminated by finials divide a series of square windows. These windows as well as the others in this addition were originally multi-paned (each mullion divided a 6 over 6 sash window) but have been changed in recent years. In 1963, the architectural firm of George C. Narovec and Associates was hired to design the one and a half million dollar addition to the Kaukauna Public High School. The new building provided additional space for a double unit gymnasium, a section with eighteen classrooms, several offices, a cafeteria, and a commons are for student activities. Like many other 1960s additions to older schools, these brick and concrete structures are not compatible in design with that of the existing building. Kaukauna Public High School was constructed in 1922 in a Collegiate Gothic style with additions in 1933, 1953, 1958, and 1963. The building is irregular in plan with a concrete foundation and red brick walls. The front elevation faces north and is asymmetrical in plan with two projecting entry bays with recessed arch entrances and stone carvings above. The facade is broken into vertical divisions by a series of pilasters which alternate between rectangular multi-paned windows. A stone belt course is located above the third floor windows and stone sills are located below each window bank. Additional interconnected building masses include an auditorium and gymnasium building (1933) constructed as part of a public works project, smaller additions in 1953 and 1958, and a newer gymnasium, classroom, commons, and office addition (1963). The 1933 auditorium embodies the Collegiate Gothic style while the 1963 addition is a distinctive mid-century modern design. The building is notable for its association with the history of public education in the City of Kaukauna. In 1889, Kaukauna's public school system was reorganized from a number of small district schools into two school districts, each with its own central school; at the same time, a city high school was established. Initially, high school classes were taught in a wing of the elementary school, but overcrowding soon exposed the need for a separate high school building. In 1890, the Kaukauna City Council set aside $800 to create a central site on its Fox River island to pacify both the north and south sides of the city, each of which wanted the high school located on its own side of the river. A three-room high school building was constructed on the island. This was replaced by the existing Collegiate Gothic building in 1922 with substantial additions in 1933, 1953, and 1963 to accommodate the growth in the high school student population as well as the evolving requirements and expectations of the public school system. Resurveyed December 2014; changes include the restoration of original window openings in the main building mass. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Kaukauna Times June 1, 1922. (B) Kaukauna Times 1933-34. (C) Kaukauna Times Feb. 23, 1973. (D) Old Photograph. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |