Property Record
601 E BROADWAY
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Tower of Memories |
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| Other Name: | Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery |
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| Reference Number: | 5593 |
| Location (Address): | 601 E BROADWAY |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Monona |
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| Year Built: | 1937 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19792018 |
| Historic Use: | cemetery building/monument |
| Architectural Style: | Late Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
| Architect: | Karl H. Sheldon |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | TOWER IN CEMETERY W/GOTHIC TRACERY. 2018 - Central tower in Roselawn Cemetery. The tower has a square plan and flat roof and is clad in cut stone. Fenestration consists of fixed-frame Gothic-arched windows on side elevations and multi-light windows in groupings of three on each side of the tower. Recessed doorways have large stone surrounds with multi-layered gothic arches extending into the recess. A stone water table and bands of decorative stone details extend around the tower near its lower portion and mid-section. Elongated openings on each side of the tower enable sound from the interior chamber to reverberate into the surrounding cemetery. The tower is capped with an elaborate combination of stone tracery, quadrafoil details, and large finials, which, along with the Gothic-arched windows and door surrounds, convey the Neo-Gothic style of this important example of funerary architecture. A variety of religious symbols and figures are also visible at the top of the tower. The tower was originally intended to house remains during the winter months but that plan did not work and throughout its history it has instead been used as a chapel and for housing the musical equipment, pump organ, and Deagan Chimes, which provided music for funeral services at the cemetery. Use of the tower as a chapel ceased in 1980. |
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| Bibliographic References: | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, MAY 9, 1936, P. 10. Frankel, Judy. “Monona Tower to Be Landmark,” April 24, 2003. Clippings files. Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society, Monona, Wis. Monona Landmarks Commission. City of Monona: Its Heritage and Landmarks. 2nd ed. Monona Wis.: Monona Landmarks Commission, 2011. 92–93. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |