Property Record
475 N WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | PLATTEVILLE CIVIC CENTER BUILDING AND ARMORY |
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| Other Name: | WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY |
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| Reference Number: | 46598 |
| Location (Address): | 475 N WATER ST |
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| County: | Grant |
| City: | Platteville |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1940 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2005 |
| Historic Use: | armory |
| Architectural Style: | Art Deco |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | HENRY C. HENGELS; HENRY KLEINHAMMER |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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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. THIS TWO-STORY, BRICK, T-SHAPED STRUCTURE RESTS UPON AN ELEVATED BASEMENT. CONNECTING A FLAT ROOFED MAIN WING AND A ROUND ARCHED EAST WING IS A CENTRAL BAY (PAVILLION), WHICH PROJECTS ABOVE AND IN FRONT OF THE REMAINING STRUCTURE. THE ROUND ARCHED EAST WING HOUSES AN AUDITORIUM. BRICK PIERS DEFINE THE ENTRANCE, WHILE BRICK PIERS OR BUTTRESSES BREAK UP THE FACADE AND THE SIDE ELEVATIONS. DECORATIVE CHECKER BOARD TRIM, GLASS BLOCK AND A TRANSOM WINDOW OVER THE THREE-DOOR ENTRANCE ACCENT THE CENTRAL ENTRANCE BAY. THE DATE OF CONSTRUCTION IS INDICATED AS 1940, ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING PLAQUE. (SEE BIB. REF. A). THERE IS A SET OF BLUEPRINTS FOR THIS BUILDING IN THE HENRY KLEINHAMMER COLLECTION THAT BEAR KLEINHAMMER'S NAME AND IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HE, IN FACT WAS THE ACTUAL ARCHITECT. IN ANY CASE, HE WAS CERTAINLY THE SUPERVISING ARCHITECT. Historical/Architectural Survey: "Selected Armories of the Wisconsin Army National Guard" Heritage Research Ltd. Constructed between 1940 and 1942 and designed by Lt. Col. Henry Hengels, the Platteville armory is a restrained example of the Art Deco style of architecture. Many windows have been replaced, although the original size of the openings have been retained, as have many of the structure's original glass block windows. The Platteville Armory includes a drill hall and auditorium and was funded with a combination of city and WPA monies. The structure exhibits a good degree of historical integrity. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. BUILDING PLAQUE. B. HENRY KLEINHAMMER COLLECTION, UW-PLATTEVILLE. C. "Historical/Architectural Survey: Selected Armories of the Wisconsin Army National Guard," Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (2005) D. "Platteville Army National Guard Armory" Determination of Eligibility Form prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (2006) |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |