Property Record
214-228 E ERIE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | American Biscuit & Manufacturing Company |
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| Other Name: | Northern Telecon |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 98274 |
| Location (Address): | 214-228 E ERIE ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1891 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | industrial building |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Crane and Barkhausen |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Historic Third Ward District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/8/1984 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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. 4-story painted brick, central entrance with arched truck opening, symmetrical facade with wide multi-centered arches, corner pavilions with arcuated cornices, altered 1st floor; Romanesque Revival style. Large warehouse of architectural significance for its relatively intact condition and coordinated five-part design. Alexander Johnston began a small bakery in 1848 as the A.H. Johnson Co. which, by 1880 was a thriving business called Johnston Bros. In 1890, at its 3rd location on Broadway, it joined the American Biscuit Co., a new corporation "formed to protect western manufacturers from the encroachments of eastern firms." In 1891 this factory was constructed by Robert Johnson, a director, at a cost of $68,000. It was claimed to be the "largest of its kind in the state." In 1894 the firm merged with New York Biscuit Co. and U.S. Used for banking through the 1940s, it was one of the few buildings that survived the district's 1892 fire. Other than the replacement of brick piers with steel columns, the removal of a 15,000 gallon water tank on the roof and assorted interior alterations, the building is unchanged. Various businesses have used it since 1950. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Building permit. Historic Third Ward Historic Walking Tour, Historic Third Ward Association, 2009. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |