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Property Location
Property Features
Alexander Mitchell started the Northwestern National Insurance Company in 1869. As one of the first insurance companies to employ independent agents and issue tornado insurance, Northwestern National became one of Milwaukee’s most prominent companies. From offices in the Mitchell Building, Northwestern weathered claims from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Its move to a third home, the new Beaux Arts style offices on East Wisconsin, coincided with the Great San Francisco earthquake. While the resulting fire obliged Northwestern National to pay nearly one-half million in damages, its profits paid for Milwaukee’s finest carved stonework, elegant architectural design, and ornate craftsmanship.
Ferry and Clas added French design elements to the Northwestern National building, from the French Baroque wrought bronze railings by Cyril Colnik trimming the first story windows to its mansard roof.
Built with Bedford Sandstone.
"When they designed Northwestern National, George Bowman Ferry and Alfred C. Clas were already celebrated in Milwaukee for their work on the Milwaukee Public Library, the tower of St. John's Cathedral, the First Unitarian Church, and the Frederick Pabst residence, now the Catholic Archdiocesan mansion. In the present building they chose to follow the predominant classical trend of the time and created an elegant example of the French Renaissance Revival style." Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia Palmer for the University of Wisconsin Extension Division, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Juneautown Walking Tour, 1965.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
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.
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