Roughly bounded by E Washington, N Durkee, E Pacific and Lawe streets

Summary

Appleton City Park Historic District
Roughly bounded by E Pacific, Law, E Washington, and N Drew streets
Dates of contributing buildings: 1867-1949

The Appleton City Park Historic District contains one of the city's largest concentrations of Victorian architecture. Its proximity to the downtown, the park at its center and nearby Lawrence University attracted many of the city's wealthiest residents.

While several houses stood in the vicinity prior to 1881, a construction boom began after the city acquired the land for Appleton's first city park that year. Larger, more fashionable residences soon replaced some of the area's first houses. By 1910 nearly all the lots were filled, and most later houses were constructed on lots that were subdivided from older multi-lot parcels.

The district is noted for its collection of Queen Anne style residences, which display the variety of materials, varied rooflines, wrap around porches, and towers associated with the style. The many examples found here illustrate the transition from the irregular façades and plans of early examples to the later, more classically influenced designs that borrowed from the emerging Colonial Revival style.

Other popular styles of the day are found in the district as well. These include examples of the American Craftsman style and the American Foursquare. One of the most distinctive homes in the neighborhood is located at 229 N. Park Avenue. The 1902 brick and stucco house is ornamented with half-timber work and is a rare Wisconsin example of the English Arts and Crafts movement. Built for noted local philanthropist George Jones, the house is now the president's residence for Lawrence University.

Two large Neo-Gothic Revival style churches occupy important corners in the district. Both are distinctive examples of this style that was popular for church construction in the 1920s and 1930s. Also located in the neighborhood is the Stick Style Temple Zion, built in 1883-1884. It is one of Wisconsin's earliest synagogues. Harry Houdini's father briefly served as its rabbi.

The homes in this district are private residences; please respect the rights of the owners.

Property Details

Resources Within The Property

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