Property Record
2590 S SUPERIOR ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Brinton, Warren and Beulah, House |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 27663 |
| Location (Address): | 2590 S SUPERIOR ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1870 |
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| Additions: | 1871 |
| Survey Date: | 1990 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Gabled Ell |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Bay View Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 8/23/1982 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. BEULAH WAS A COUSIN OF THE ROLLING MILL'S OWNER, EBER BROCK WARD, AND WARREN WORKED IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES FOR THE COMPANY including foundry supervisor. This building housed Bay View's first library. Beulah STARTED BAY VIEW'S FIRST COMMUNITY CENTER WHEN SHE OPENED HER HOUSE FOR CLASSES IN READING, ENGLISH, COOKING, SEWING AND CHILD CARE. She raised funds, matched by Ward, to purchase library books. This collection formed the nucleus of the Llewelyn branch library of the Milwaukee Public Library. IN 1924, FOUR YEARS BEFORE HER DEATH, SHE WAS HONORED BY THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE BY HAVING BAY VIEW'S FIRST MUNICIPALLY RUN COMMUNITY CENTER NAMED AFTER HER. THE PORCH ON THE HOUSE REPLACED THE ORIGINAL AROUND THE TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY. Another map code is 373/36. HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: Home of Beulah Brinton, early Bay View social worker. Pagel and Palmer write: "Bay View's first lending library was quartered in this residence, built for foundry supervisor Warren Brinton. To purchase the books, Brinton's wife Beulah raised funds, matched by Eber Ward (founder and president of the Milwaukee Iron Company) and the collection she assembled later formed the nucleus of the Llewellyn branch of the Milwaukee Public Library... In 1924, when Mrs. Brinton was almost ninety, a social center was opened in the old fire station at 2455 South St. Clair (now demolished) and was named the Beulah Brinton Community House in her honor." "As we have seen, the settlement of Bay View dates from the 1830's, its development as an industrial suburb from the opening of the Milwaukee Iron Company during the late 1860's. Through the years the contributions of the firm's management and labor to the cultural, political, social, and religious life of the village were many. The church was considered, like several others in Bay View, was founded by mill employees. The yacht club had its origin in a mill organization. Bay View's first lending library was quartered in this residence, built for foundry supervisor Warren Brinton. To purchase the books, Brinton's wife Beulah raised funds, matched by Eber Ward, and the collection she assembled later formed the nucleus of the Llewelyn branch of the Milwaukee Public Library. When the Brintons came to Milwaukee, Mrs. Brinton quickly became quickly became acquainted with the wives and children of immigrant mill workers. She invited them to her home to teach the women homemaking skills and give them lessons in English. The young people enjoyed the tennis court on her lawn and the dances she held for them in her home. Mrs. Brinton called it being neighborly, but the work she did with the people of the community greatly resembled the work of the social settlement houses that developed in later years. In 1924, when Mrs. Brinton was almost ninety, a social center was opened in the old fire station at 2455 South St. Clair and was named the Beulah Brinton Community House in her honor." Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia A. Palmer, University Extension University of Wisconsin, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Walker's Point and South, 1969. |
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| Bibliographic References: | TAX ROLLS. Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia A. Palmer, University Extension University of Wisconsin, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Walker's Point and South, 1969. MILWAUKEE HISTORIC BUILDINGS DRIVING TOUR OF BAY VIEW. Tax Program. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |