Property Record
1249 WILLIAMSON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | SIXTH WARD PUBLIC LIBRARY |
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| Other Name: | GRIEG CLUB |
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| Reference Number: | 30028 |
| Location (Address): | 1249 WILLIAMSON ST |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Madison |
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| Year Built: | 1912 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1999 |
| Historic Use: | library |
| Architectural Style: | English Revival Styles |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | CLAUDE AND STARCK |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| 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. MAP CODE IS 0710-072-2902-6. Made a Madison Landmark in 1995. Plans published in: Wisconsin Free Library Commission, "New Types of Small Library Buildings," pp. 52-55. The $15,000 Andrew Carnegie grant was used for the construction of this library. The branch was located in the Sixth Ward so that it could serve the rapidly growing number of blue collar workers. Madison Historic Landmark: 10/2/1995 "Due to the popularity of the Madison Free Library's store station opened on Winnebago Street in 1906, a request was made to the Carnegie Foundation for a gift. The Foundation responded in 1911 and preparations were made for the construction of the first branch library in Madison. The Madison architectural firm of Claude (Louis W. ) and Starck (Edward F.) was employed to design the building. The result of their work is a building of the Jacobethan Revival Style, as was the old main library on North Carroll, characterized by its forms, fenestration, and materials. The library opened on March 25, 1913, and was a local meeting place in the neighborhood for "clubs, recreation groups and some of the classes of the Continuation School." It quickly became a popular after school retreat, due in part to the excellent view afforded of Butler's Pool Hall across the street, which was off limits to the younger children. The Williamson Street branch was closed in 1958 with the opening of the Hawthorne Branch." Williamson Street, Madison Wisconsin: An Historical Survey and Walking Tour Guide, by Gary Tipler & the City of Madison Landmarks Commission & Professor William H. Tischler, 1979. |
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| Bibliographic References: | CITY DIRECTORIES. PRAIRIE SCHOOL REVIEW, V. 14, P. 29. Carnegie Libraries in Wisconsin by David I. Macleod, 1968. Williamson Street, Madison Wisconsin: An Historical Survey and Walking Tour Guide, by Gary Tipler & the City of Madison Landmarks Commission & Professor William H. Tischler, 1979. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |