Property Record
2050 N PALMER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | FIRE ENGINE HOUSE #21 |
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| Other Name: | ENGINE COMPANY #21 |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 45324 |
| Location (Address): | 2050 N PALMER ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1894 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1982 |
| Historic Use: | fire house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | SABASTIAN BRAND |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Brewers Hill Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 4/27/1995 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 10/25/1994 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of N. 3rd St. - Brewers' Hill |
| Additional Information: | Complete history in WPA Project #10455. Locally designated: 11/12/1985. ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENT: **Description: The Engine Company No. 21 building was constructed on the corner of North Palmer and East Lloyd Streets of brick masonry. It is a two-story building incorporating the hose drying tower at the corner facing the two streets. Originally, the tower was four stories high; however today it is shorter and is visually integrated into the main mass of the building, apparent only by its short projection above the cornice at the roof. It has a small hip roof, while the rest of the building is flat roofed. The west front elevation is almost, but not quite, symmetrical. The equipment room opening is centered, but the openings on the second floor are not regularly spaced, and the pediment with date "stone" is to one side, visually played off against the tower. The facade is quite ornamented, with small corbelled arches between pilasters, bracketed cornice and raised floral motifs around the date. Under the second-story windows are decorative brick panels and the name, "ENGINE COMPANY NO. 21" in cut stone. The north elevation includes a projecting portion with two-story high, round arch pilaster treatment. The present appearance of this at the roof suggests it has undergone some alteration, as has the vehicle opening. **Significance: The building is significant architecturally as an example of municipal fire house design and as an interesting example of the Neo-Classic Revival style. The west facade is particularly important because of the decorative brickwork of panels and corbels within a grid created by the pilasters. HISTORICAL STATEMENT: The Engine Company No. 21 structure is significant historically because of its association with the development of the Milwaukee Fire Department and the development of the Brewers Hill area. Engine Company No. 21 was organized September 1, 1894, the building having been constructed by the City of Milwaukee. Fire Chief James Foley was not happy with the results of designs by local architects hired for station design, so in 1885 he began to make use of some of his own department's talent. Sebastian Brand, an ex-mason and foreman of Engine Company No. 9, was given the responsibility for the design of the next building. When Station No. 10 was built that year Forman Brand, in addition to his regular duties, drew up plans for it and personally supervised the contruction. The result was good, and the Chief said it "reflects credit...upon Mr. Brandt (sic), as an architect and superintendent." Thus began a long, successful program of station desgn within the Fire Department. The cost was $8,949. The apparatus was a 1894 first size American, followed by a 1908 Nott engine in that year. As of 1910, the company consisted of 12 men, 7 horses, and the Nott engine hose cart with 2,000 feet of hose. |
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| Bibliographic References: | BEERTOWN BLAZES - 1971. INSCRIPTION. WPA Project #10455. Milwaukee Daily Reporter 5/23/2003. Sanborn Fire Ins. Maps - 1910. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |