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Property Location
| Location (Address) | 917 E MIFFLIN ST |
|---|---|
| County | Dane |
| City/Village | Madison |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1925 |
|---|---|
| Additions | 1934, 1939 |
| Survey Date | 2001 |
| Historic Use | stadium/arena |
| Architectural Style | Spanish/Mediterranean Styles |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Sandstone |
| Architect | Claude and Starck-grandstand,Civil Works Administration-walls |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments | 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. The map code is 0709-131-2001-3. Previously surveyed in 1983. Mediterranean Revival style grandstand designed by Claude and Starck, built in 1925. In 1934 a stone wall was built by the Civil Works Administration with stone quarried at Hoyt Park. North grandstand was also built at this time. Madison Historic Landmark: 10/16/1995. "In 1923 the City of Madison bought this empty block for use as a municipal stadium. The firm of Claude and Starck was commissioned to design the Mediterranean Revival brick grandstand. Built in 1925, the field was named for Breese J. Stevens, a former Madison mayor and civic leader. A chainlink fence originally encircled the field, but in 1934 a stone wall was built by the Civil Works Administration with rock quarried at Hoyt Park. The north grandstand was also built at this time. An the only city park with lights until the 1960s, Breese Stevens Field hosted most of Madison's major outdoor sporting events. These included exhibition games by major league baseball clubs, the American Giants and the Kansas City Monarchs from the Negro Pro Baseball League, city track meets, midget car racing, boxing and wrestling exhibitions, city and state softball tournaments, and ice skating meets. The field was also the home of the pre-WWII semi-pro Madison Blues baseball team. On football weekends, up to seven games were played here because the stadium served all five city high schools. In the 1960s and 1970s use fell off considerably, neglect caused structural damage to the grandstand and the fate of the grandstand was in doubt. But in 1983, the City renovated this sports landmark and it is now enjoying a new lease on life as a soccer field." Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991. |
| Bibliographic References | Capitol Times, 12-31-1925. Wisconsin State Journal 1/12/2004. Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Breese Stevens Municipal Athletic Field |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Aug 03, 2015 |
| State Register Listing Date | Nov 21, 2014 |
| Contributing |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
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For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
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917 East Mifflin Street
15000502
Located in Madison, Dane County
