Additional Information: | ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
1930's "Moderne" theatre and commercial building. A zigzag tower over the theatre entry rises from a smooth concrete facade.
Construction date, 1935. (1)
Graylock Co., Builder.
8 stores and upper offices.
"By 1935 the Great Depression virtually put an end to movie palaces and building in general, but one Mr. Rhead of the Graylock Investment Co. did have funds to build a commercial strip on Burleigh Street. In 1915 the firm had developed the Downer Theatre which was designed by Milwaukee architect, Martin Tullgren. Evidently Rhead liked Tullgren's work, because in 1935 he asked Martin 's son, Herbert, to design his new theatre and stores/office building. Herbert Tullgren (1889-1944) is not known to have ever designed another theatre, but his work in apartment buildings is well-known. The Sherman Theatre is a notable example of modernistic influence characteristic of Herbert Tullgran and the change in design toward Art Deco and then Art Moderne. The stated cost of $85,000 for the theatre, eight stores, and ten second floor offices left little money for ornamentation except the zig zag fluting of the facade above the marquee and the innovative use of architectural neon lines. This was to be the only real ornamentation in the auditorium, for the blueprints indicate a series of six neon tube lozenge shapes on the ceiling and half-round fluted pedestals flanking the proscenium arch, topped with a trapezoidal urn-like shape. Unfortunately, none of this can be confirmed today, since the theatre has suffered a fire, years of neglect an some alterations. The 995 seats still remain, along with their modernistic end standards. The ticket lobby has a decor of vitriolite in cobalt blue, gray, and pale yellow with some trim in white metal scallops. It leads into the foyer which has a silver foil wall covering flocked in crimson and scarlet in a baroque floral motif! The carpeting was a similar design in muted colors, while the far end of the tunnel-like room featured a circular pedestal drinking fountain in a semicircular niche. Roof leaks have required the removal of all these surface treatments. After an arson fire in 1977, it was sold to the Liberty Temple Church." Historic Milwaukee Inc., Sherman Park Pride in Craftsmanship 13th Annual Spaces & Traces Tour Saturday, May 14, 1994, Souvenir Booklet. |