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Property Location
| Location (Address) | 2579-2597 N DOWNER AVE |
|---|---|
| County | Milwaukee |
| City/Village | Milwaukee |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1915 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 1993 |
| Historic Use | large retail building |
| Architectural Style | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | Martin Tullgran |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
This structure is a fine example of a WWI period commercial building. It is the oldest known theater still operating in the City of Milwaukee. Built more than twelve years before the advent of "talking pictures," the theater is one of the few in the metropolitan area that made the transition from silent pictures to sound pictures. The oldest popcorn wagon has reputedly stood at 2590 N Downer Ave since 1916, made of wood and metal. Records confirm that the wagon was there in 1963 when the City of Milwaukee bought the parking lot that it partially stands upon. However, first-hand recollections of area residents propose that the wagon has stood in this area much earlier than 1963. |
| Bibliographic References | Permit. Final Historic Designation Study Report: North Downer Avenue Commercial District, (Jakubovich: 2001). |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Not Listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | |
| State Register Listing Date | |
| Contributing |
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.
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Email UsAttribution
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