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Property Location
Location (Address)
3011 W STATE ST
County
Milwaukee
City/Village
Milwaukee
Township
Unincorporated community
Town
Range
Direction
Section
Quarter Section
Quarter Quarter Section
Property Features
Year Built
1851
Additions
Survey Date
1984
Historic Use
Architectural Style
Structural System
Wall Material
Cream Brick
Architect
Other Buildings On Site
Demolished
No
Demolished Date
Additional Comments
The architecture of the Concordia Historic District is rich in examples of Milwaukee’s turn-of-the-century residential styles. Most of the houses were built between 1870 and 1920, but the busiest period of development in the district occurred between 1885 and 1900.
At the center of the district is the former campus of Concordia College campus, a Lutheran liberal-arts college founded in 1881. The college moved to Mequon in 1982, and the campus became the American Indian Community School. The exodus of the college and the sale of nearly one hundred houses it owned opened the neighborhood to new owners who rehabilitated and maintained the historic character of the district.
The Robert Faries House (c. 1850), a stand-apart, High Victorian Italianate style residence at 3011 West State Street, is the district’s oldest building and an architectural icon. The original owner was an amateur astronomer, who reportedly modified the roof as an observation deck.
Locally designated: 10-11-1988.
Robert J. Faries owned the property from December 1850 to February 1854.
Associated Individuals:
Sidney L. Rood (1854 -1863)
Philetus Yale (1863 - 1905)
Horace P. Yale (1905 - 1947 )
Milwaukee Bible Institute (1947 - 1960)
Concordia College (1960-1987)
"An image of the Faries-Rood-Yale House has served as the logo for Historic Concordia for years. The house's history is intriguing and elusive. Current research indicates that Dr. Robert J. Faries, the first dentist in the state of Wisconsin, owned this property from December 1850 until February 1854. Records also show that a house was built between 1851 and 1852, which the Faries family lived in. It is not clear, however, whether any portion of that house remains today. The property's next owner, Sidney Rood, a bookstore and bindery owner possibly expanded the original house while he was a resident from 1854 until 1863. It is believed that the house was improved, both inside and out, to its current appearance, with the expanded tower, Mansard-like roof and dormers and likely its west wing, by tailor and clothier Philetus Yale, who owned the house after Rood. The house remained in the Yale family until 1947.
The house was once nearly twice the size it is today. It was owned by the Milwaukee Bible Institute from 1947 to 1960 during which time a large, two-story wing was removed. Between 1960 and 1987, Concordia College was the owner and it later served as law offices. Today the home is a single family dwelling.
Although stripped of its original fireplace mantels, marble surrounds remain intact within period-appropriate replacement mantels. Much of the pre-twentieth century woodwork, as well as a decorative tile entrance floor, also remains." Spaces & Traces Open House Tour, Historic Milwaukee Inc., 2012.
At the center of the district is the former campus of Concordia College campus, a Lutheran liberal-arts college founded in 1881. The college moved to Mequon in 1982, and the campus became the American Indian Community School. The exodus of the college and the sale of nearly one hundred houses it owned opened the neighborhood to new owners who rehabilitated and maintained the historic character of the district.
The Robert Faries House (c. 1850), a stand-apart, High Victorian Italianate style residence at 3011 West State Street, is the district’s oldest building and an architectural icon. The original owner was an amateur astronomer, who reportedly modified the roof as an observation deck.
Locally designated: 10-11-1988.
Robert J. Faries owned the property from December 1850 to February 1854.
Associated Individuals:
Sidney L. Rood (1854 -1863)
Philetus Yale (1863 - 1905)
Horace P. Yale (1905 - 1947 )
Milwaukee Bible Institute (1947 - 1960)
Concordia College (1960-1987)
"An image of the Faries-Rood-Yale House has served as the logo for Historic Concordia for years. The house's history is intriguing and elusive. Current research indicates that Dr. Robert J. Faries, the first dentist in the state of Wisconsin, owned this property from December 1850 until February 1854. Records also show that a house was built between 1851 and 1852, which the Faries family lived in. It is not clear, however, whether any portion of that house remains today. The property's next owner, Sidney Rood, a bookstore and bindery owner possibly expanded the original house while he was a resident from 1854 until 1863. It is believed that the house was improved, both inside and out, to its current appearance, with the expanded tower, Mansard-like roof and dormers and likely its west wing, by tailor and clothier Philetus Yale, who owned the house after Rood. The house remained in the Yale family until 1947.
The house was once nearly twice the size it is today. It was owned by the Milwaukee Bible Institute from 1947 to 1960 during which time a large, two-story wing was removed. Between 1960 and 1987, Concordia College was the owner and it later served as law offices. Today the home is a single family dwelling.
Although stripped of its original fireplace mantels, marble surrounds remain intact within period-appropriate replacement mantels. Much of the pre-twentieth century woodwork, as well as a decorative tile entrance floor, also remains." Spaces & Traces Open House Tour, Historic Milwaukee Inc., 2012.
Bibliographic References
MILWAUKEE HISTORIC BUILDINGS TOUR: WEST END, CITY OF MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT, 1994.
Zimmermann, The Past in Our Present, v. 1, 3-5.
Research done for the house as a result of Spaces & Traces 2012. Following the tour (May 19th), research on file at Historic Milwaukee and with the current owner.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Towering presence: An educator takes loving care of early Milwaukee residence," October 11, 1998, Interiors section p. 6-8.
Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript.
Spaces & Traces Open House Tour, Historic Milwaukee Inc., 2012.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
National/State Register Listing Name
Concordia Historic District
National Register Listing Date
Jul 30, 1985
State Register Listing Date
Jan 01, 1989
Contributing
Yes
Architecture & History Inventory
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