Property Record
1139 S 70TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Allis Chalmers Mfg. Co. Tractor Division Office Building |
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| Reference Number: | 232217 |
| Location (Address): | 1139 S 70TH ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
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| Year Built: | 1928 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20162020 |
| Historic Use: | small office building |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | Y |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| Additional Information: | First office of the Allis-Chalmers tractor division. Converted in 1931 to a tractor and farm equipment showroom. One of four buildings of the Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co. Office Complex. See AHI 9203 for main record of complex. 2015- "This two-story, brick-faced building (Building #106: AHI 232217) rests between the New Tractor Division Office and the West Office Building. The main (east) facade is divided into three bays by a pair of thin pilasters; heavier pilasters topped with a raised brick box ornament are located at each corner. Each bay is topped with several rows of corbeled brick and a shaped parapet rises above the roofline. Fenestration is modern and consists of a pair of large, multi-light, plate-glass examples on the first floor as well as a third on the second floor within the middle bay; two smaller examples pierce each of the outer two bays. The rear (west) elevation exposes the flattened polygonal roof. The utilitarian facade faces an alley and consists of a standard entrance, infilled garage door opening and a pair of window openings. On the interior, the upper floor of this building retains its exposed timber ceiling and hardwood floors. The other portions have been renovated with modern materials into classrooms. Built in 1928 as the first office of Allis-Chalmers' tractor division, the building was converted into a machinery display area when the adjacent office building was constructed in 1931. It is not known if the main facade doorway alterations date to that time or later. It is now owned by the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District and used as a large meeting space and classrooms." -"Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co. Office Complex," WisDOT ID #1060-27-00, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (Brian J. Faltinson), subcontracting to CH2M (Charlie Webb), (2015). **2020 - Resurveyed for I-94 Project 1060-27-04 by HRL: Significant changes since 2016 include repurposing and the addition of new doors, windows and a significant, steel, two-floor porch/balcony. All affected the building's integrity. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |