Property Record
524 S LAYTON BLVD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | MITCHELL PARK DOMES |
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| Other Name: | MITCHELL PARK HORTICULTURAL CONSERVATORY |
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| Reference Number: | 52569 |
| Location (Address): | 524 S LAYTON BLVD |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1964 |
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| Additions: | 1964 1966 1967 |
| Survey Date: | 1980201920202024 |
| Historic Use: | park |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
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| Architect: | Donald L. GRIEB |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| 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 Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation and Public History. Mitchell Park originally consisted of 30 acres, 25 of which were acquired by the newly formed Park Commission in 1890 from John L. Mitchell for $60,000 and five acres were donated by Mitchell. This park is one of the five major park areas acquired in 1890-1891 to greatly expand the new metropolitan park system. The other parks were Lake, Washington, Kosciuszko, Humboldt, and Sherman. By 1891, a rustic stone fountain, pavilion, and a small boathouse had been constructed. The elegant Mid-century Modern conservatory was begun in 1959 as a replacement for an earlier conservatory that had deteriorated. New domes were designed by local Milwaukee architect Donald Grieb and the domes were constructed as finances allowed. The first of the three domes opened in 1964, Tropical Dome opened in 1/1966, and the Desert House opened in 11/1967. The first dome was dedicated by Lady Bird Johnson at a 1965 ribbon cutting. Each dome contains 2,200 separate glass pieces. The park is - as of 1972 - 63 acres located at the south end of the 27th Street viaduct. Of historical interest is the reproduction of the log cabin of Jacques Vieau who built an Indian trading post here in 1795 which was the first house in Milwaukee. Park contains conservatory and botanical gardens housed in three geodesic dome structures. 2020- The Mitchell Park Domes consists of three conoidal glass paneled structures connected by a central Contemporary lobby. It was designed by local Milwaukee architect Donald L. Grieb, with construction of the first dome beginning in 1959 and the last dome completed in 1967. Due to the design of the glass structures, over 85% of available light is captured and transmitted to the interior plants through quarter-inch thick panels embedded with wire. Some glass replacement occurred in 2006 following an explosion at the nearby Falk Corporation manufacturing facility, and in 2008 the lobby and restroom facilities were remodeled. 2024 - No change |
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| Bibliographic References: | Milwaukee Board of Park Commissioners Annual Report, v. 1, 1891-1892, p. 17. Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, May 15, 2005. Architectural Record, November 1962, pp. 191-192. Progressive Architecture 7/1966 pp. 25, 70. Progressive Architecture 1/1963 pp. 37-38. Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia A. Palmer, University Extension University of Wisconsin, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Walker's Point and South, 1969. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |