| 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.
M IN THE PHOTO CODES STANDS FOR MVIS NEGATIVES.
February/March 2003-The Milwaukee Stockyards property consists of a two story, brick office building, as well as a calf barn immediately to the east. The office building rises two stories and is faced with brick, while the roof is flat and obscured by a simple brick parapet. The style of the building features modest Art Deco styling through its vertical brick pilasters and tall and narrow windows at the entrance. Remaining fenestration consists of three over one light, double hung sashes; most of which remain intact. The calf barn consists of a series of pens constructed of what appears to be 2 x 6 boards and larger wooden beam supports on a concrete foundation. The structure is essentially open on all sides; however, it is topped with a flat roof. The first Milwaukee Stockyards were formally established near the 27th Street Viaduct in the Menomonee Valley in 1869. Between 1902-03 and 1914-15, the meat packing industry in Milwaukee moved from a number four ranking in value of product to number two-second only to the iron, steel and heavy machinery industry. WWI further boosted the industry as meat was shipped overseas to feed the Allied forces. Between 1918 and 1927, the meat-packing industry experienced steady growth. In an effort to expand the receiving market of the existing stockyards, as well as to move the years closer to the meat-packing operations, the subject facility was constructed in 1929, with opening day noted as April 29th of that year. Improvements at the new stockyards included concrete floors, covered stockyard and commission firms, as well as a cafeteria. The construction of the new facility could also better accommodate the motor trucks, the new mode of transportation for moving the livestock, a deficiency of the old stockyard. Although the number of livestock that passes through the yards has certainly diminished over the years, the stockyards are still in business. Regarding Criterion C, the subject structure features modest Art Deco styling with its brick piers with stone caps and modest detailing along the parapet. However, the Milwaukee Stockyards have been a part of the history of Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley since 1869. Admittedly, the location of the yards has shifted approximately ten blocks from their original location; however, they have remained in their current location for over seventy years. The current facility stands as a testament to the once-thriving meat-packing industry of the City of Milwaukee, the largest of its kind (and the only remaining) in the State of Wisconsin. Please note that the greater stockyard complex includes a series of open parks to the southeast of the office and barn, as well as a livestock release barn beyond the adjacent employee parking lot for the Potawatomi Casino. As well, immediately to the south of the office building are at least four structures that were associated with the Plankinton Packing Company and an overhead cattle pass still exists on one side of one of those buildings; however, it has since been removed to the east, where it would have come down into the stockyards. This area as a whole was evaluated as a potential historic district; however, due to the lack of integrity of some of the structures, as well as the spread-out nature of the resources, it was determined that a larger district was not appropriate. |
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