Property Record
6600 W WASHINGTON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Allis Chalmers Mfg. Co. Tank & Plate Shop/Welding Shop |
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| Other Name: | Avalon Rail, Inc. |
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| Reference Number: | 229984 |
| Location (Address): | 6600 W WASHINGTON ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
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| Survey Date: | 20152020 |
| Historic Use: | industrial bldg/manufacturing facility |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
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| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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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. 2015-This sprawling, predominantly cream brick building consists of multiple attached building blocks. Corrugated metal siding has been installed on side elevations and multiple openings have been infilled with the same material. A modern two-story addition featuring a truck-loading-dock on the first level has been constructed on the south elevation. The subject building was constructed by the Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Company as their Tank & Plate Shop and Welding Shop. The history of West Allis is inextricably tied to the Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Company. Originally featuring a plant on Clinton Street in Milwaukee, the E.P. Allis Company became the Allis Chalmers Company following a merger in 1901 and they established their signature facility at the subject location. The company manufactured power generation and electrical equipment, as well as farm machinery and a wide variety of other manufactured goods. Allis Chalmers was one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the country throughout the first half of the twentieth century; however, the company began a long, slow decline in the 1960s and ultimately declared bankruptcy in 1987. Shortly thereafter, much of the Allis Chalmers complex was razed - especially that portion along Greenfield A venue - and those buildings that remained have been significantly remodeled. The subject building is now occupied by Avalon Rail, Inc. -"IH-94/USH 41/WIS 341 Survey," WisDOT ID #1080-27-01, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (McQuillen) (2015). Building constructed by Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Company as their Tank & Plate Shop and Welding Shop. Allis Chalmers manufactured power generation and electrical equipment, as well as farm machinery and a wide variety of other manufactured goods. Allis Chalmers was one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the country throughout the first half of the twentieth century; however, the company began a long, slow decline in the 1960s and ultimately declared bankruptcy in 1987. Large portions of the complex have been razed (especially that portion along Greenfield Avenue) and those buildings that remain have been remodeled. **2020 - Resurveyed for I-94 project 1060-27-04. Significant parts of the old AC complex, but not all, have been demolished. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1910 Sanborn Map Volume 7, Page 779. 1927 Sanborn Map Volume 11, Page 1111. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |