199 RIVER ST

199 RIVER ST

Winnebago

Menasha

1949

2009

public utility/power plant/sewage/water

International Style

Brick

No

Surveyed in 1988.

#590. FCS 6/28 - MENASHA MUNICIPAL UTILITIES - use a multistory International Modern power plant and distribution center. Rectangular in plan, the building rises in four flat-roofed stages which diminish and recede toward the downstream, channelside corner. Built in the Miesian palette of light brick walls and dark metal trim, it has window bands with cement surrounds in the two lower stories and a vertical two-story window at left of the upstream endwall. The sheer masonry walls of the third and fourth stories appear to support the enclosed corner vent or cooling apparatus and a flanking metal smokestack. The long, landward wall of the plant has an inscription in metal letters along the second story and a ground-story row of caged transformers partly obscured by a three-bay metal garage addition.

2009--Since last surveyed, a large, metal garage addition has been built on the front/to the south.

The following information is from the 2009 Intensive Survey of Menasha:

This multi-storied steam power plant ranges in height from one to nearly four stories; the first two stories of which exhibit International Style design and were built between 1948 and 1949. Faced with brick and rectangular in plan, a band of factory sash windows run across both stories of the structure's south and east elevations, while a large, two-story window is situated at the south end of the east facade. A few additional windows light the third and fourth levels; however, the remainder of the facility is without fenestration. Metal letters run above the second-story windows along the south elevation and read "MENASHA MUNICIPAL UTILITIES." An approximately five-story, metal-sheathed unit rises along the north side of the building. The plant was enlarged in 1963-64 to almost twice its original size, with an addition to the rear (north). In 2005, a fuel storage tank and a coal receiving building were added to the facility.

The electric utility in Menasha began in 1906 with a street-lighting system. Within six years, the municipality was supplying electricity to homes and businesses from the water works and lighting plant located at Manitowoc and Broad streets. In 1948, construction began on the new River Street steam power plant, which soon took over as the city's supplier of electricity. The structure was designed by Laramore & Douglass, Inc., a Chicago engineering company that was established in 1937. The firm reportedly built a rather substantial reputation in the design of rural transmission and distribution systems and also designed steam turbine stations for a number of small municipal communities. Menashas first two steam turbines are noted as having gone "on line" in 1949. An additional turbine was installed in 1963. Despite recent upgrades to the system in 2008, the facility has experienced some financial difficulties and is currently down to just two local firms that are purchasing steam from them in order to power their respective industrial concerns. The facility is in jeopardy of closure.

No information was found to suggest eligibility under Criterion B: Significant Persons. Although this steam power plant has provided electricity to the City of Menasha since its completion in 1949, electricity has been municipally provided to Menashans since 1912-13 from another facility (See earlier discussion for 57 Manitowoc Street). Since this structure does not date to the community's initial use and distribution of electricity, it is not believed to offer eligibility under Criterion A: History. Regarding Criterion C: Architecture, the subject structure is a good example of the International Style of architecture as designed for an industrial building. However, the significant addition that was made in 1964 to the rear (north) of the building does indeed alter the structure's strong, original, horizontal design. However, also under Criterion C--and as related to the structure's engineering--the Chicago engineering firm of Laramore & Douglass appears to have been a leading firm in the design of steam turbine plants (that is, according to their own firm's website). Therefore, further research is suggested in order to further substantiate that notion.

Fire Insurance Map of Menasha, Wis., 1926 (updated to 1948). Historic photo of River Street plant, included in "History of the Electric Utility," at www.menashautilities.com, Accessed in June 2009. Dick Sturm, Engineering and Operations Manager of Menasha Utilities, Conversation with Traci E. Schnell, August 2009, Notes on file at Heritage Research, Ltd., Menomonee Falls, WI. A bronze plaque hangs in the front entrance of the building and indicates that the building was supervised and directed by a joint committee of the Board of Public Works and the Water and Light Commission, as well as lists their names. It also includes the date of completion (1949), the engineering company (Laramore and Douglass, Inc.) and the general contractor (Edw. H. Meyer Construction Co.). Information on plaque supplied by Dick Sturm. "Laramore, Douglass and Popham," Firm website and basic historical information located at www.ldpgroup.com, Accessed on 21 August 2009.

Not Listed