1339 N MILWAUKEE ST

Historic Name:
Gugler Lithographic Co.

Other Name:
Milwaukee Center for Independence

Reference Number:
116559

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Property Location

Location (Address)	1339 N MILWAUKEE ST
County	Milwaukee
City/Village	Milwaukee
Township
Unincorporated community
Town
Range
Direction
Section
Quarter Section
Quarter Quarter Section

Property Features

Year Built	1896
Additions	1908, 1918, 1927, 1905
Survey Date	2000
Historic Use	industrial bldg/manufacturing facility
Architectural Style	Early Gothic Revival
Structural System
Wall Material	Cream Brick
Architect	Otto Strack-1896
Other Buildings On Site
Demolished	Yes
Demolished Date	2006
Additional Comments	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. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: This structure is representative of late 19th century industrial buildings designed for their functional and utilitarian use with added touches of Medieval decoration. Diagram on survey dated 6-19-79 shows varios periods of construction. Construction date, 1896, 1910, 1927. (1) This property includes at least three periods of building; the earliest section of which is located at the corner of N. Broadway and Ogden and dates to 1896. This original brick block prominently displays a castellated parapet along N. Broadway Avenue, with tower-like units anchoring the building on both the north and south. Such medieval inspiration is the cornerstone of German-inspired ethnic architecture, or what we know today as the German Renaissance Revival style. Windows of the structure are regularly placed and the majority of the first-floor openings maintain their multiple-light panes. Although not necessarily architecturally compatible with the original block, the 1927 addition (fronting on N. Milwaukee Street) features Neo-Classical elements such as cut-stone trim, a round-arched entryway and multiple-light fenestration. In addition, incised stone insets feature elements associated with the printing/lithography business. Aside from the 1910 and 1927 additions to the complex, exterior alterations appear to be limited to fenestration. Henry Gugler began his Milwaukee career in lithography in 1871, joining the firm of Seifert & Lawton. Siefert had established himself in Milwaukee as a printer and engraver as early as 1852. By 1872, Lawton had left the firm and the concern was then renamed Siefert, Gugler & Co; it was comprised of Siefert, Gugler and Gugler's son, Julius. By 1877, George Schoeffel joined the partnership as the firm's business manager. The following year, the Guglers left the Seifert concern to begin H. Gugler & Son, lithographers. In 1896, the Pabst Brewing Company took a permit out to erect a three-story, $30,000 lithographic institution and employed Otto Strack for its design. Strack had been the supervising architect for the Pabst Brewing Co. from 1888 until 1892; however, he continued to design various projects for the brewery well into the 1890s. The Gugler Lithographic Co. continued in business at the subject location until 1974 when the firm relocated to a new building in suburban Brown Deer. Thereafter, the structure was utilized by Jewish Vocational Services from 1975 into the 1980s. The complex is currently home to the Milwaukee Center for Independence. Designed by Otto Strack, the subject structure features a crenelated parapet and corner towers and stands as a very good example of ethnic German architecture. Therefore, the subject facility is potentially eligible under Criterion C, notwithstanding the Neo-Classical, 1927 addition to the east. Regarding Criterion A, the Gugler Lithographic Co., established in 1878, appears to have been one of the city's most long-standing companies of its type. In fact, further investigation may prove that the Gugler's successor company remains in business today. As well, the Pabst Brewing Co.'s connection with the Gugler enterprise deserves further study. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A leading lithographic firm founded by Henry Gugler that specialized in color work, show cards, posters, and stationery.
Bibliographic References	1. Sanborn-Perris Maps.--Milwaukee 1910, Vol. 1, pl. 40. 2. "Milwaukee, A Half-Century of Progress", 1846-96, p. 178. Building permit.

National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings

National/State Register Listing Name	Not Listed
National Register Listing Date
State Register Listing Date
Contributing

industrial bldg/manufacturing facility Early Gothic Revival

Milwaukee
County

Milwaukee
Community

1890-1899
Decade

National and State Register Listing

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