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Summary
Lake Park
North Lake Drive at East Kenwood Boulevard
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
Architects: Alfred Clas; Frederick Law Olmsted; Olmsted & Eliot
Dates of Construction: 300 BC to 1000 AD; 1893 to 1936
Lake Park offers majestic vistas of Lake Michigan from two levels, the largest portion perched on a 100-foot high bluff. The plan was prepared in 1895 by the Olmsted firm, whose founder, Frederick Law Olmsted, designed New York's Central Park. The firm modeled Lake Park after landscapes of the English Romantic movement, with the idea of a park being a place of beauty and refreshment. Olmsted designed the upper portion of the bluff in a series of open meadows screened from the city with predominantly native trees and shrubs. Paths, carriage drives, roads, and bridges were sited to create compelling lake views. The natural ravines that cut through the steep bluff were kept informal with dirt paths, stone and log steps, and stone retaining walls.
The park features five opulent historic bridges, each placed to provide a scenic vista or create a sculptural counter point to the natural landscape. The Brick Arch Bridge was created by Oscar Sanne in the Renaissance Revival style. It is constructed of brick and limestone, incorporating extensive terra cotta ornamentation, and is the only remaining example of a high style masonry bridge in Wisconsin. The paired Lion Bridges feature eight stone lion sculptures guarding their entrances, A Neoclassical pavilion designed by Milwaukee architect Alfred Clas in 1902, and a formal, Neoclassical limestone staircase leading down the bluff further embellish the park.
The site was used long before the creation of Lake Park. The only known remaining mound within the city limits of Milwaukee is located on the grounds. The mound is associated with the Woodland culture, and Native Americans continue to view it as an important cultural and spiritual place.
Milwaukee County Parks operates Lake Park as a public park.
Property Details
| Criteria | Architecture/Engineering,Information Potential |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Archeology/Prehistoric,Landscape Architecture |
| Period of Significance | 1893-1936 |
| Architectural Style | Classical Revival |
| Architect | Olmsted, Olmsted & Elliot,Clas, Alfred C. |
| Resource Type | District |
| Historic Use | Graves/Burials,Religious Facility,Park,Road-Related,Pedestrian Related |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 2 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 2 |
| Contributing Structures | 7 |
| Contributing Objects | 2 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 4 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jan 15, 1993 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Apr 22, 1993 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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3233 E Kenwood Blvd (2900 N LAKE DR AND 2800 E KENWOOD BLVD - LAKE PARK - LAKE MICHIGAN PARKWAY NORTH)
27222
Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
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