Property Record
100 COLLEGE ST (338 W CHURCH ST)
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | EVANSVILLE SEMINARY |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 29484 |
| Location (Address): | 100 COLLEGE ST (338 W CHURCH ST) |
|---|---|
| County: | Rock |
| City: | Evansville |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1855 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2006 |
| Historic Use: | university or college building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | JAMES WEST |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Evansville Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 11/16/1978 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | ORIGINALLY WAS A 2 YEAR COLLEGE BEFORE IT BECAME A SEMINARY FOUNDED BY THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. FOUR CORNER CHIMNEYS, CENTRAL TOWER, AND BALUSTRADE WERE REMOVED AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY. SENATOR ROBERT M. LAFOLLETTE, UW PRESIDENT VAN HISE, AND CHIEF JUSTICE BURR JONES ALL ATTENDED THIS SCHOOL. 05/01/15: La Follette and Van Hise were key advocates of Progressive Era reforms that transformed civic affairs in Wisconsin and across the US at the turn of the 20th Century. The seminary later became the Wyler School, a "semi-military" boys' preparatory school. The entire complex was converted to apartments by The Gorman Company in a successful "adaptive re-use." ONE OF THREE HISTORIC BUILDINGS ON THE CAMPUS, THIS BUILDING IS NOW CONNECTED BY A CONTEMPORARY STYLE HYPHEN TO THE 1888 BUILDING NEXT DOOR. A SEPARATE GYMNASIUM BUILDING IS LOCATED ADJACENT AND WAS BUILT IN 1917. "The Methodist-Episcopal Church and later the free Methodists operated this co-educational preparatory school that influenced the moral and cultural flavor of Evansville for over 50 years. Illustrious graduates of the classical curriculum offered here include Senator Robert "Fighting Bob" La Follette, Sr. and University of Wisconsin President Charles R. Van Hise. These two men were key advocates of Progressive Era reforms that transformed civic affairs in Wisconsin and across the U.S. at the turn of the 20th Century. The seminary later became the Wyler School, a "semi-military" boys' preparatory school. The oldest (1856) and most architecturally significant buildings is the three-story red brick main building with Italianate-influenced flattened hip roof, symmetrical facade, and paired brackets. The 8-over-16 windows with plain lintels and sills show some Greek Revival influence. The original four corner chimneys, central tower, and roof balustrade were removed nearly 100 years ago. The cream brick two-story building to the south (now attached) was built in 1884 and shows later Italianate influence in the decorative window hoods and brick string course. The original bell tower has been removed, but the pedimented gables remain. The third building, a three-story dark red brick classroom/gymnasium shows some early modern influence and was built in 1917. The entire complex was converted to apartments by The Gorman Company is a very successful and appropriate "adaptive re-use." Evansville Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Evansville Walking Tour brochure, 2014. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | JANESVILLE GAZETTE 5/21/1994. Historical and Architectural Walking Tour of Evansville's Historic District, Evansville Historic Preservation Commission, 1992. MONTGOMERY, RUTH ANN. GLIMPSES OF THE GROVE. EVANSVILLE: 1989, PP. 20-22; 86-87; 202-203. SUBJECT FILES. LEONARD P. EAGER LOCAL HISTORY ROOM, EAGER FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. Evansville Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Evansville Walking Tour brochure, 2014. Historical and Architectural Walking Tour of Evansville's Historic District, Evansville Historic Preservation Commission, revised 1991. Evansville Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Evansville: A Walker's Guide, 2002. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |