Property Record
3 S HIGH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | McDonell High School |
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| Other Name: | Chippewa Valley Cultural Center for the Arts |
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| Reference Number: | 3139 |
| Location (Address): | 3 S HIGH ST |
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| County: | Chippewa |
| City: | Chippewa Falls |
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| Year Built: | 1907 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | elementary, middle, jr.high, or high |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | CHARLES S. SEDGEWICK |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | McDonell High School |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/6/1982 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Notre Dame Parish Thematic Resources |
| 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 State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. Classical mouldings; yellow brick color, colossal pedimented portico with broken pediment and Tuscan columns on masonry bases; brick piers divide surface with rectangular windows between and large round arched windows in the rear wing; round arched entrance doors. Part of the parochial school system, the McDonell Memorial High School, designed in 1907 by Charles S. Sesgwick of Minneapolis, (A)(B) has a notable portico composed of a broken pediment, dentil ornament, and an entablature supported by colossal Roman Tuscan columns on high cut stone bases. Round arched windows and plain rectangular windows placed between capped applied pilasters usually support the plain freize, dentil trimmed projecting eaves and roof. Long arched windows with articulated window hoods light the rear gymnasium wing. Listed in the National Register as part of the Notre Dame Multiple Nomination in 1983, the historic McDonell Memorial High school, vacant since 1965, (B) is architecturally significant as an example of school architecture in the Neo-classical style. Lumberman and entrepreneur Alexander B. McDonnell built this school in memory of his wife and children in 1907. McDonnell was active in civic affairs and served as mayor of Chippewa Falls between 1887-1888. He died in 1913. This high school is part of the historic development of Notre Dame complex which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Diamond Jubilee Souvenir and History of Notre Dame Church, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin 1856-1931 (Chippewa Falls, 1931), p. 158. B. National Register Files Preservation Division, State Historicasl Society of Wisconsin, Madison. EAU CLAIRE LEADER-TELEGRAM 3/5/1995. CHIPPEWA FALLS HERALD TELEGRAM 4/13/1995. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |