Housing development within what is considered Milwaukee’s west side began following the Milwaukee Park Commission’s creation of a boulevard that linked Washington Park and Sherman Park. Along with improved transportation--by both street car and automobile—real estate speculation continued westward. Developers touted subdivisions “away” from the city and with more tranquil surroundings. In order to ensure that subdivisions were developed the way they were originally intended—and with the City’s zoning code in its infancy, deed restrictions were instituted. Platted on the grid pattern, the 2500 block of North 47th Street stands as a very good example of a small-scale residential development that defined itself from its neighbors by the implementation of deed restrictions. With slightly larger lots than the adjacent blocks, the subject block came with restrictions that relate to what could be built there and how buildings should be placed on lots (in terms of size, cost and setbacks).

Although no particular style of house was defined in the restrictions, the twenty-four, single-family homes on the block are largely bungalows. Stylistic influences applied to the homes include (but are not limited to) Craftsman, Tudor Revival, and Mediterranean Revival or combinations thereof. Brick, stone and/or stucco covers all but one of the homes; the final example is sheathed with wood siding. Some of the homes are confirmed to be from the hand of a trained architect, including George Zagel and Brother, as well as Thomas Van Alyea. Others, however, were from the hand of a designer or builder, including Harry Mewes and Charles F. Behnke, the latter of whom resided on the subject block. Regardless of from which hand a design was produced, all twenty-four homes coalesce to form a unified and architecturally distinctive block.

The homes in the district are privately owned. Please respect the rights and privacy of the owenrs.