Property Record
Bounded by Meinecke, Bremen, Reservoir St., alley E of Booth
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Kilbourn Park |
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| Other Name: | Kilbourn/Reservoir Park |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 16354 |
| Location (Address): | Bounded by Meinecke, Bremen, Reservoir St., alley E of Booth |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1872 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19822019 |
| Historic Use: | |
| Architectural Style: | English Revival Styles |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | Y |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | The 21 million gallon reservoir, installed in 1872 to hold drinking water, was removed in 2006-07. The park, which was established around the same time as the reservoir, was redesigned after 2006-07, and the reservoir space is now an earth-filled plateau intended to mimic characteristic hill and basin. 2019 Kilbourn Park was created in 1872-73, when the Kilbourn Reservoir was constructed. The reservoir was a seven-sided structure embedded in the hillside, that could hold up to 21 million gallons of water when full and was intended to store and distribute drinking water and provide fire protection. The park-like setting and hill created by the reservoir was a popular destination for Milwaukee’s residents, who enjoyed the park’s walkways and summer concerts. The reservoir structure was no longer in use by 2004, and the reservoir structure was removed in 2006 and 2007. The surrounding park was redesigned at that time, with the reservoir space filled with earth to maintain the characteristic hill. The comfort station (AHI No. 240474) in the northern end of Kilbourn Park is a small, one story Tudor Revival building constructed in 1931. The building is constructed of cream brick with half timbering in the eaves of the steeply-pitched gabled roof. A gabled projecting bay is located in the center of the southeast elevation, and contains a metal doorway and two small flanking double-hung windows. Windows throughout appear to be original, and are topped by a soldier brick lintel. Several of the windows are covered with metal grating to protect the glass behind. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |