Property Record
2361 S 10TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | FIFTH AVENUE NATATORIUM |
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| Other Name: | HI-LO DIVING NATATORIUM |
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| Reference Number: | 63301 |
| Location (Address): | 2361 S 10TH ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1917 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | natatorium |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | MILWAUKEE BOARD OF BRIDGES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: |
| 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, State Historic Preservation Office. A. RIESEN WAS THE MASON. Last known public natatorium to be built in the city of Milwaukee. Natatorium built in the Neoclassical Style. Constructed of red brick with limestone trim. One of seven public natatoria constructed by the City of Milwaukee between 1889 and 1917. This was the last one built. According to the research of the Milwaukee Landmarks Commission, Milwaukee may have been the first city in the U.S. to erect a municipal bath house with both swimming and bathing facilities. "In 1885, when Mayor Emil Walker proposed a public park system, he also advocated the erection of a public natatorium, which was finally built in 1889." Eventually there were seven natatoria built in Milwaukee. "They were all similar in organization and were probably inspired by the plan commonly used in Europe at the time. The pool was placed in teh center of a two-story space capped with a large, peaked sky-light. The second floor consisted of a balcony or gallery, encircling the pool." Five of the seven natatoria remain. See the Milwaukee Landmarks Commission. City of Milwaukee was the owner from 1917-77. Clinton Lovelace was the owner from 1977 to the present. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Milwaukee Landmarks Commission. Real Estate Department, Milwaukee Department of City Development. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |