Property Record
5301 W LINCOLN AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | John Lendrum Mitchell House |
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| Other Name: | Mitchell Manor |
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| Reference Number: | 9226 |
| Location (Address): | 5301 W LINCOLN AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
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| Year Built: | 1885 |
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| Additions: | 1949 |
| Survey Date: | 2007 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | EDWARD TOWNSEND MIX |
| 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: | 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. WOOD SHINGLES AND/OR 1/2 TIMBERING IN GABLES. MASSIVE STRUCTURE. STATUE OF DOG W/PUPPY ON GROUNDS. This house was originally a part of a 400 acre estate that included barns, stables, and a riding track. John L. Mitchell (1842-1904) lived here until 1887. He was an important figure in the financial, industrial and real estate development of the Milwaukee area. A lawyer by training, he became involved with the Milwaukee and Northwestern Railroad and prospered along with it. He constructed the Mitchell Building in Milwaukee to the designs of Edward T. Mix. William "Billy" Mitchell (1879-1936), John's son, lived here from 1887-1927. He distinguished himself in the fledgling U.S. Army Air Corp in WWI. He led a one man attempt to persude the U.S. government of the value of air power in modern warfare. It was through his efforts that an air corp was established, first as a branch of the Army, and finally as the U.S. Air Force. He is known as the "Father of the Air Force" and thus commemorated with Milwaukee's "Mitchell Field". The Carmelite Sisters of the Heart of Jesus took ownership of the property in 1927 and turned it into an orphanage. Previously surveyed in 1990, an update photograph was submitted in 2007. |
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| Bibliographic References: | MILWAUKEE JOURNAL 5/29/1990. WEST ALLIS STAR 1/25/1996. Milwaukee Landmarks, List of Official Landmarks recognized by the Milwaukee County Landmarks Committee, n.d. Milwaukee Journal 12/26/1878. Elite Directory Co., Milwaukee Blue Book, 1894. Milwaukee Co. Atlas, 1876. Zimmerman, H. Russel, The Heritage Guidebook, 1976. West Allis Star 5/23/2002. "Mitchell Home Sold for $43,000." Milwaukee Sentinel, 20 January 1927, page 1. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |