click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 105 N WATER ST |
|---|---|
| County | Milwaukee |
| City/Village | Milwaukee |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1915 |
|---|---|
| Additions | 1940 |
| Survey Date | 1984 |
| Historic Use | fire house |
| Architectural Style | Twentieth Century Commercial |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | Charles Ellis Malig |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
SEE HAER. M IN THE PHOTO CODES IS SHORT FOR MVIS. This two-story fire department engine house has a brown brick veneer exterior, a rusticated stone basement and a central entrance with a decorative surround. The roof and the floors are made of concrete. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE: With 27 miles of canal, river and lake frontage within its domain, the Milwaukee Fire Department has relied on its fireboats for icebreaking, snow dispersal, lifesaving, transfusing water to its land companies, as well as firefighting. The first fireboat was launched in 1889 and by the early 1900's four stations were in operation, two of which were positioned near the numerous highly-cumbustible structures lining the Menomonee and lower Milwaukee Rivers - the coal docks, hay and feed sheds, grain elevators and warehouses. One of these early stations was built at the confluence of the two rivers and replaced in 1915 by this new fireboat house. Designed to accomodate fireboat personnel around the clock, the building once had a 36 inch brass pole leading from the dormitory on the top floor to the dock level. As the number of fire-prone structures diminished and the City water system improved, the need for boats and crew declined. In 1940, this building (Engine #15) was one of three remaining stations and was remodeled to house the Fire Inspection Bureau on the first and second floors. When the Inspection Bureau was later relocated, this building was shared by Civil Defense, then used for city records storage. As of 1983 it was the only fireboat station operating in Milwaukee. Interior remodeled in 1940. |
| Bibliographic References | MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL 4/27/1996. Building Permits. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 12/2/1996. Historic Third Ward Walking Tour, Historic Third Ward Association, 1998. Permit. Historic Third Ward Historic Walking Tour, Historic Third Ward Association, 2009. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Historic Third Ward District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Mar 08, 1984 |
| State Register Listing Date | Jan 01, 1989 |
| Contributing | Yes |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
