Property Record
7332 W NATIONAL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | WEST ALLIS FIRE STATION #1 |
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| Other Name: | West Allis Fire Department Administration Building |
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| Reference Number: | 9248 |
| Location (Address): | 7332 W NATIONAL AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1930 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 200720151980 |
| Historic Use: | fire house |
| Architectural Style: | Spanish/Mediterranean Styles |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Lindl & Schutte |
| 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. BRICK PIERS W/ART DECO CAPITALS. 1/2 ROUND DECO PANELS ABOVE 2ND FLR WINDOWS. A new survey card was submitted in 2007 to reflect the changes to the garage doors. 2007 survey info: The West Allis Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1906, and for years it was located on the lower floor of the old City Hall. Although the first fire-fighting equipment was hand drawn, horse-drawn vehicles were introduced in 1907. West Allis purchased its first team of horses in 1909. Seven years later, the department was motorized and full-time, paid firefighters were added to the volunteer organization. In 1922, all volunteers were released and a full metropolitan plan was put into operation. Beginning in 1926, Fire Chief Peter Burbach began a campaign to build a new fire house. After a variety of financial and legal delays, a grand opening celebration was held on 20 March 1930. The architects of the new facility were Lindl & Schutte of Milwaukee and the builder was Martin Jezo, a local contractor who won the job with a bid of $54,696.00. The Mediterranean Revival-style building is sheathed with brick and is topped with a Spanish tile roof. Decorative brick piers feature terra cotta, Art Deco "capitals," while round-arched, Deco-style panels are located above the second-floor windows. When constructed, the station was considered one of the most up-to-date structures of its kind in the state. The structure functioned as the city's fire station until 2002, when a new building was erected immediately to the south. The former fire station now functions as the city's fire administration center. Although the overhead doors have been replaced with windows, the original openings themselves remain intact. 2015- "This two-story, Mediterranean Revival-style fire station is topped with a hipped roof that is covered with Spanish tile. Five brick pilasters capped with Art Deco-style etched stone “capitals” divide the building’s W. National Avenue elevation into four bays. Three of the four first-floor bays carry a sixteen-light window, while the easternmost bay encompasses the building’s primary entrance door and windowed surround. Along the second floor and located within each of the bay divisions is a pair of replacement, double-hung sash set within a wide stone panel below and an arched, Art Deco stone panel above. The west elevation includes a three-story hose tower and garage bay at its northern end. Each of the remaining three bay divisions carry three, single, double-hung windows along the first floor, while two windows, each topped and underscored with the same ornament found on the south elevation, are set within each bay of the second floor. Both the rear (north) and east elevations are unadorned and sash windows are arranged singly throughout. The West Allis Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1906, and for years it was located on the lower floor of the old City Hall. Although the first fire-fighting equipment was hand-drawn, horse-drawn vehicles were introduced in 1907 and West Allis purchased its first team of horses two years later. In 1916, the department was fully motorized and full-time paid firefighters were added to the volunteer organization. In 1922, all volunteers were released and a full metropolitan plan was put into operation. Beginning in 1926, Fire Chief Peter Burbach began a campaign to build a new fire house. After a variety of financial and legal delays, the subject fire station was erected between 1929 and 1930. It was designed by the Milwaukee architectural firm of Lindl & Schutte and local contractor Martin Jezo won the job with a bid of $54,696. At the time of its construction, it was considered one of the most up-to-date structures of its kind in the state. The building functioned as a fire station until 2002-2003, when the new facility next door to the east was built (see discussion to follow). It was thereafter remodeled by Plunkett Raysich, architects, and now serves as the city’s fire administration center." -"W National Ave- S 76th St to S 70th St", WisDOT #2410-00-07, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (Schnell), (2015). |
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| Bibliographic References: | West Allis Star 5/23/2002. West Allis: The Early Years,#29; 28-29, Research compiled by Jo Haas, HMI volunteer and edited by research chair Traci E. Schnell. 2015 survey citations: “History of the West Allis Fire Department,” Available online at www.westalliswi.gov/index.aspx?NID=353, See also Historical & Architectural Resources Survey of West Allis, Milwaukee County, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd., Menomonee Falls, 2007, 117-118. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |