Property Record
300 MILWAUKEE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Milwaukee Railroad Roundhouse |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 33740 |
| Location (Address): | 300 MILWAUKEE ST |
|---|---|
| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1860 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | 1900 1883 |
| Survey Date: | 1996 |
| Historic Use: | roundhouse/repair shop/car barn |
| Architectural Style: | Other Vernacular |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 1992 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| 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. Featuring a rounded facade of brick with wooden units of multi-paned nine over nine windows, the Milwaukee Road Round House, formerly the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Round House constructed c. 1883, has a clerestory of multi-paned windows arranged in groups of three. Built during the great coast to coast period of rail construction in the United States, the Milwaukee Road Round House is one of the few remaining architecturally significant structures from the era when the railroad business dominated North La Crosse. When Civil Engineer Dodge of the Milwaukee St. Paul Railroad Company visited La Crosse in 1872 to locate a terminus for the bridge over the Mississippi, he decided that beginning it from the round house would be the best location. (B) whether or not this is the same round house is not known. The Milwaukee Road Round House illustrates the importance of La Crosse as a transportation center in the 19th century. After the construction of the railroad bridge in 1876 La Crosse attracted several major rail lines anxious to use the bridge and tap the resources and trade of Western Wisconsin's most important city. The Round House helped Milwaukee Road trains turn around after traveling downtown, so that they might cross the Mississippi. It was also used in conjunction with extensive rail repair facilities located nearby. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | A. Sanborn-Perris Insurance Mawp City of La Crosse (New York: Sanborn Map and Publishing Co., 1884). B. Pratt and Owen, La Crosse Illustrated (La Crosse: Art Publishing Co., 1887, Reprints: 1978) pp. 36 and 41. C. A. Sanford and H. Hirschheimer, A History of La Crosse, Wisconsin 1841-1900 (La Crosse: La Crosse County Historical Society, 1953) p.147. D. History of La Crosse County, 1881 p. 590. E. La Crosse Curbside Chronicles, 18 November 1992. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |