Search Tips for Finding Historic Properties
Architecture and History Inventory
Having problems finding a property in the Architecture and History Inventory? Try these search strategies.
Searching for Urban Properties
When searching for an urban property (any property in an incorporated community), try searching for everything on a particular street as opposed to at a specific address. It is possible that we might have an incorrect address.
For example, you live at 1523 Elm Street in what locals call the "Old Smith House." You type in 1523 Elm Street in the search box and no results appear. What happened? We might have entered the building in the database as "1520 Elm Street." So instead, try searching for "Elm" only. Search results will show all properties on Elm St., Elm Ave., Elm Blvd., etc. You can then scan the list of properties and may find your property.
Not sure how to spell the street name? Try searching for just the house number. Search results will show every property with that house number.
If your property is located on a street corner, try searching for everything on the cross street. If you still can't find the property, it is probably not in the Architecture and History Inventory.
Searching for Rural Properties
Finding a rural property is similar in many ways to finding an urban property. After identifying the county and civil town where the property is located, you can search by street address or street name. You can also search by the name of the property. If you still can't find it, the property is probably not in the Architecture and History Inventory.
Searching for Unusual Properties
Some historic properties, such as bridges and parks, do not have street addresses. These properties can still be located. For bridges, enter the name of the road or the name of the river that the bridge crosses. This will give you all the properties on that street including the bridge. When searching for parks, search the name of the park. If you still can not find it, the property is probably not in the Architecture and History Inventory.
Help Update this Collection
If you cannot find a property in the AHI and believe that it should be included, contact Leah Penzkover by email and provide any information you have about the property. When providing information about a historical fact, such as the story of a historic event or the name of an architect, be sure to list your sources. We will only create or update a property record if we can verify that your submission is factual and accurate.
Leah.Penzkover@wisconsinhistory.org
Have Questions?
Contact Leah Penzkover at 608-261-9582 or by email: