click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
Property Features
This very fine Queen Anne commercial building was apparently constructed in two phases. By 1890, a two story building occupied this site. According to the 1910 Sanborn Perris Map, the third floor and the oriel windows were added in the early twentieth century. The facade is intricately detailed, with carved brownstone details and decorative brick work accenting the deep red tones of the face brick. The facade is symmetrically arrranged, but this aspect of the design is secondary to the variety of ornamentation. Two shallow oriels project on the second story and are capped by pediments. Third story windows rise above this and are framed by broken pediments supported by consoles. Visually, the second and third stories flow into each other, creating a strong vertical expression. String courses and entablatures provide a counterpoint to this vertical emphasis.
The W.T. Lyle buliding provides, with in Waukesha, an excellent example of the Queen Anne style and is architecturally significant as a representative example of a period of construction. The juxtaposition of materials and a variety of details are characteristics of the style; in the Lyons building shapes and materials are skillfully manipulated to create a lively facade which contrasts nicely with the simplicity of adjoining buildings. The majority of the Queen Anne designs in the commercial district are sited on corner lots, rather than in the center of the block. Consequently, those designs depend primarily on volumetric shapes (turrets, bartizans) and active silhouettes rather than complex facade treatment, for effect.
See the New Putney Block at 802 Grand Ave. (WK 77/9), the Nickel Building at 338-340 W. Main Street (WK 77/22), the Yanke Building at 200 Madison St., the Columbia Block at 321 South St. (WK 6/17), and a building located at 332 South St. (WK 77/19).
W.T. Lyle, an undertaker, built this double storefront commercial building. It was expanded and the facade made more elaborate in 1910. It has had a series of commercial uses over the years.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
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.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
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.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
