Property Record
2004 W HIGHLAND AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Victor Schlitz House |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 69236 |
| Location (Address): | 2004 W HIGHLAND AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1890 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | Charles A. Gombert |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Schlitz, Victor, House |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 1/16/1986 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of West Side Area |
| 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. DESCRIPTION: The Victor Schlitz House is a two-and-one-half-story, brick multi-gabled, Queen Anne style house built in 1890. The house reflects the complex massing typical of Queen Anne design with turrets, oriels, bay window, porches and varied fenestration articulating the essentially rectangular house. In addition, a variety of materials including brick, rockfaced limestone, terra cotta and wood, as well as various patterns of wood panelling, shingling and sawn ornament add to the building's textural interest. A notable feature is the terra cotta bust of a young man which decorates the building's east elevation. Charles Duchow was the mason of this house. The building has been somewhat altered on the exterior. The front porch balustrade has been removed, two new dormers have been added, a small second story porch on the northeast corner has been enclosed and various ornamental features and trim have been removed. ARCHITECUTRAL/ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE: The Victor Schlitz House is architecturally significant as a fine example of a Queen Anne single-family residence. The house is a notable example of picturesque design by noted nineteenth century architect Charles Gombert. HISTORIC BACKGROUND: The house was built for wealthy liquor and wine distributor Victor Schlitz. Schlitz had been born in Germnay in 1849 but emigrated to Milwaukee as a young man. By 1869 he was engaged in the wholesale liquor trade. He continued in the business for the rest of his life. After living over his North Third Street shop or in the adjacent Germantown section for many years, the forty-one year old Schlitz built his $6,000 residence on newly fashionable Highland Avenue in 1890 as a reflection of his growing prosperity. He resided in the house until his death in 1928. His heirs sold the house to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in 1929. Later the house was owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee and by the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross. The Sisters of Mercy sold it to the current owner, Highland Community School, Inc. in 1975. It is used as a private primary school. (B, C). Charles A. Gombert, the architect of the Victor Schlitz House, was born in Germany in 1833. A resident of Milwaukee for 35 years, Gombert designed several residences along Prospect Avenue, the Seuss House at 1843 North Palmer Street (listed in the National Register as part of the Vine-Reservoir Historic District), the John Baasen House at 1702 North 4th Street (listed in the National Register), and Saint Vincent's Asylum, at Greenfield Avenue and South 8th Street. In addition, he designed residences for clients in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gombert's most famous Milwaukee design is the North Point Water Tower. (NRHP-1973). He died at age 87 in Neenah, Wisconsin. (D). |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Milwaukee City Building Permits. B. Milwaukee City Directories, 1890-1928. C. Records of Ownership, Records and Research, Rm. 509, City Hall. D. Wisconsin Necrology, XVIII, 176. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |