click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 311 N HANCOCK ST (AKA 427 E Gorham St) |
|---|---|
| County | Dane |
| City/Village | Madison |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1917 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 2014 |
| Historic Use | public utility/power plant/sewage/water |
| Architectural Style | Twentieth Century Commercial |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| 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. Designed by Madison architectural firm of Balch and Lippert and nationally known engineering firm of Mead and Seastone. Built in 1917. replaced the city's first pumping station which was built in 1882 on the same site. Distinctive Prairie style trim at each corner of the building. this decorative element became an architectural trademark for the water utility and adorns most of the utility's buildings built from 1923 through the 1950s. Transformed in 1985 to apartment units. "One of Madison's most creative reuses of an historic property occurred in 1985 when the Madison Water Works pumping station building (later renamed Nichols Station) and the city block it sits on were transformed into an apartment complex. The tan brick building that is the centerpiece of this project was constructed in 1917. It replaced the city's first pumping station, which was built in 1882 and was located on the same site. The new water works originally housed a large steam boiler and two massive steam-powered pumps. These pumps (one of which survives intact) were Madison's sole source of municipally supplied water until 1923, when the first outlying local unit pumping station was built. Nichols Station was designed by the Madison architectural firm of Balch and Lippert and the nationally known Madison engineering firm of Mead and Seastone. Balch and Lippert's design featured distinctive Prairie style trim at each corner of the building. This decorative element became an architectural trademark for the water utility and adorns most of the water utility's well buildings constructed from 1923 through the 1950s." Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991. |
| Bibliographic References | Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Madison Waterworks |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Aug 18, 1980 |
| State Register Listing Date | Jan 01, 1989 |
| Contributing |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
