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Summary
Washington Elementary School
811 North Pine Street, Janesville, Rock County
Date of Construction: 1939
Architect: Law, Law, and Potter
Washington Elementary School was constructed in 1939 with the assistance of the Public Works Administration (PWA) in the City of Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin. Washington Elementary School was constructed in fulfillment of the Janesville Board of Education’s early twentieth century building program and the State Department of Education’s recommendations to establish a three-tier school system in Janesville consisting of graded elementary, junior high (also referred to as middle school), and senior high schools in the 1920s and 1930s. It is one of the four elementary schools constructed in Janesville between 1929 and 1939, pursuant to the State Department of Education’s recommendations, and is one of the four oldest operational modern elementary schools in the city. Washington Elementary School is significant at the local level in the area of Education as a representation of the establishment of the contemporary public school system in Janesville and the adaptation of the buildings to meet changing educational needs.
In the area of Architecture, Washington Elementary School is also significant at the local level as a distinctive example of a Classical Revival educational building. The Madison-based architectural firm of Law, Law, and Potter designed Washington Elementary School in the Classical Revival style with influences of the contemporaneous Stripped Classicist style. Emblematic of the Classical Revival style, the school exhibits orderly facades rhythmically punctuated with windows, a distinct axial plan, raised corner quoins, and classically derived embellishments to mark the original primary and secondary entrances including fluted pilasters, simplified entablatures, broken pediment, scrolled finials, and a rotunda. The influence of Stripped Classicism is present in the austere execution of the classical details such as the cast stone pilasters and rotunda columns that are rectangular and flattened with only vertical and horizontal incising to allude to column bases and capitals. The first addition was completed 1952 and was similarly designed by Law, Law, Potter, and Nystrom to be consistent with the architectural character of the original school. A subsequent addition was constructed along the rear of elevation between 1992 and 1994.
Property Details
| Criteria | Architecture/Engineering |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Architecture |
| Period of Significance | 1939-1968 |
| Architectural Style | Classical Revival |
| Architect | Law Law and Potter |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | School |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 1 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Contributing Objects | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 0 |
| 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 | Nov 15, 2024 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Apr 1, 2025 |
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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1138 E Memorial St
100011592
Located in Janesville, Rock County
316 S Ringold St
100011593
Located in Janesville, Rock County
3 Janesville Elementary Schools Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Thursday, April 17, 2025
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of three Janesville elementary schools in the National Register of Historic Places on April 1, 2025.
Washington Elementary School Listed in the State Register of Historic Places
Thursday, December 19, 2024
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of Washington Elementary school in Janesville (Rock County) on the State Register of Historic Places.
Adams Elementary School Listed in the State Register of Historic Places
Friday, December 06, 2024
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of Adams Elementary school in Janesville (Rock County) on the State Register of Historic Places.
Roosevelt Elementary School Listed in the State Register of Historic Places
Thursday, December 19, 2024
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of Roosevelt Elementary School in Janesville (Rock County) on the State Register of Historic Places.
