Property Record
430 AHNAIP ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Gilbert Paper Company Gatehouse |
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| Other Name: | Gilbert Paper Company Gatehouse |
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| Reference Number: | 59623 |
| Location (Address): | 430 AHNAIP ST |
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| County: | Winnebago |
| City: | Menasha |
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| Year Built: | 1926 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2009 |
| Historic Use: | gatehouse |
| Architectural Style: | One Story Cube |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Childs & Smith |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | The Gilbert Paper Company was founded in 1886 with a capital stock of $100,000. Originally associated with George A. Whiting, William Gilbert Sr. formed a separate paper company with his sons William Albert, Theodore, and George. Built on teh Lawson Canal in the year of its completion, the Giblbert Paper Mill was the third paper manufacturing operation in the city. A second paper machine was added in 1891, a third in 1919. The third expansion marked the end of the company's dependence on water power, filling in the canal which had been the original site selection rationale. This ajor expansion also included offices designed by Childs & Smith of Chicago. A gatehouse was added to the complex by 1926, while the offices were expanded sometime after that date. Throughout its history company has produced higher quality cotton fibre content papers including bond, ledger, index, and onion skin papers. While the mills themselves have undergone extensive alteration and expansion, the offices and gatehouse remain relatively untouched by time. The Gilbert Paper Company Offices and Gatehouse reflect the prosperity of the paper industry in teh early 20th century, as well as the corporate image sought by the Gilbert family. The Gilbert Paper Company Offices are located in the milling district that follows the river along Ahnaip Street. The one story offices are built on an "H" plan and the roof is hipped. The roofing material is asphalt, the walls red brick with a stretcher bond, and the foundations poured concrete. The fenestration is formally balanced with multipaned sash and three hooped dormers. Decorative features include a dentilled cornice, keystones, and a front entrance incorporating doric columns and a fan light around the paneled door. The Gatehouse is a one story cube with a hipped roof. The roofing materials are asphalt, the walls are brick, and the foundations are poured concrete. The Gilbert Paper Company Offices and Gatehouse are distinguished as one of two extant paper company offices in Menasha. The offices are further distinguished as a fine example of the Colonial Revival period of construction as adapted to industrial use. Other prominent examples of this style in Menasha include the Memorial Building (74-30, 640 Keyes Street), Menasha High School (90-23 420 Seventh Street), Riverlea (74-34, 836 Keyes Street), and the U.S. Post Office (83-23, 84 Racine Street.) Since last surveyed in 1984, it appears that the windows have been replaced. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Shattuck, S.F. A History of Neenah. George Banta Publishing Company, 1958. Neenah, Wisconsin. Page 307. B. Ibid. C. Menasha Record, August 9, 1918. D. Sanborn Perris Map; Menasha, Wisconsin; 1913, 1926. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |