Property Record
401 MAPLE AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | New Irving School |
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| Other Name: | Lowell Elementary School |
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| Reference Number: | 108338 |
| Location (Address): | 401 MAPLE AVE |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Madison |
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| Year Built: | 1916 |
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| Additions: | 1927 |
| Survey Date: | 19832016 |
| Historic Use: | school – elem/middle/jr high/high |
| Architectural Style: | Spanish/Mediterranean Styles |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Ferdinand Kronenberg; Alvan Small and Flad - 1927 addition |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. The map code is 0709-053-2501-6. Built in 1916 on the site of a former circus grounds. Originally had eight classrooms as well as domestic science and mannual arts classrooms and a gymnasium/auditorium. Addition made in 1927 to meet increasing enrollment. 2016 - Resurveyed, appearance unchanged The Mediterranean Revival-style Lowell Elementary School was designed by Madison architect Ferdinand Kronenberg and constructed in 1916. The original building, first known as New Irving School, had eight classrooms, as well as manual arts and domestic science classrooms, and a gymnasium/auditorium. The building was enlarged in 1927 with an addition designed by the local architectural firm of Flad & Small. The school is located on a large lot south of Atwood Avenue, between Maple and Ludington Avenues. The two-story brick building has a U-shaped footprint, formed by three rectilinear wings around a courtyard. The core section of the building faces west toward Maple Avenue. The facade is framed by two-and-one-half-story towers at the northwest and southwest corners. The towers have hipped roofs sheathed in terracotta tile and feature corbeled brick cornices. Windows on the towers include paired six-light sashes on the first story and paired six-light arched windows within a single arch surround on the second story. Centered on the façade is a broad flat-roof pavilion with an arched entrance positioned between two arched windows. The second story above features an arcaded set of six multi-light windows separated by decorative spiral columns. Between the pavilion and towers the façade is slightly set back with a pent roof. Remaining façade windows are paired six-light sashes. The north wing of the school is oriented north toward Atwood Avenue. It has a flat roof with a center stepped parapet. Also at the center of this elevation is a prominent one-and-one-half-story canted bay window. The window is topped by a half-hipped roof sheathed in terracotta tile. Flanking the window on each side is an entrance bay that includes a pair of doors with sidelights and a transom. Windows on this elevation are generally six-light sashes, except for oneover- one sashes used along the foundation. This elevation also features decorative elements, including brick and stone spandrels between windows, inset stone panels above the entrances, and an inset stone panel on the bay window that reads “LOWELL SCHOOL.” The east (rear) wing has few distinguishing features. Brick-infilled arches imply there may have been large arched windows at some point. The southwest corner of the rear wing is expanded by a two-story hipped-roof section, which is likely a stair or elevator tower. Recessed within one-and-one-half-story arches at the southeast corner is a glasswalled secondary entrance. |
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| Bibliographic References: | City Directory. Parham, A Chart of Madison Schools. Capitol Times, Jan. 15, 1932. Madison Landmarks Commission & the Atwood Community Center, Schenk's-Atwood Neighborhood: A Walking Tour, 1987. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |