Property Record
342 N WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | F. Mayer Boot and Shoe Co. |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 98169 |
| Location (Address): | 342 N WATER ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1910 |
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| Additions: | 1926 1915 |
| Survey Date: | 20002010 |
| Historic Use: | warehouse |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Terra Cotta |
| Architect: | Schnetzky and Son |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Historic Third Ward District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/8/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' (U.S. Appraisers store) 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. 1910-11 - First three floors. 1915-26 - Fourth through eighth floors. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION AND SIGNIFICANCE: This 8-story reinforced concrete building has white glazed terra cotta tile on South and West facades. This tall building is architecturally distinctive because of its white terra cottal exterior, a material not often used in Milwaukee. The material, along with the neo-classical details, make this building a good example of a commercial neo-classical revival design. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE: This striking building, standing at the NW corner of the old Third Ward, was the former home of the F. Mayer Boot & Shoe Co., one of Milwaukee's oldest shoe houses. Established in 1880 by Frederick Mayer, one of his early partners later formed another of the city's thriving shoe companies, V. Shoenecker Boot & Shoe Co. By 1896, Mayer employed 175 workers, produced 800 pairs daily, and had a reputation as one of the most progressive leather establishments in the city. This store, factory and warehouse building was begun in 1910, although only 3 of its 8 stories were completed by the following year. In 1921, all but 1 floor of the building was being used by a variety of professional service, manufacturing and merchandise brokerage firms, but Mayer was still producing 12,500 pairs of "Dry-Sox", "Honorbuildt" and "Martha Washington" shoes daily. In 1945 the U.S. Government purchased the building for use by the Veteran's Administration, remodeling it the following year, and has used it for office space since. The building was then converted into various businesses. Resurveyed for Milwaukee Downtown Connector Arch/History Survey, SHPO#10-0983, Prepared by Heritage Research (2010). |
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| Bibliographic References: | Building permit. Historic Third Ward Historic Walking Tour, Historic Third Ward Association, 2009. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |