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Summary
Roosevelt Elementary School
316 South Ringold Street, Janesville, Rock County
Date of Construction: 1929
Architect: Law, Law, and Potter
Roosevelt Elementary School was constructed in 1929 in the City of Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin according to the designs of the Madison-based architectural firm of Law, Law, and Potter.
Roosevelt Elementary School is significant at the local level in the area of Education for its association with establishment of the contemporary public school system in Janesville and the adaptation of buildings to meet changing educational needs. The school was constructed in 1929 in fulfillment of the Janesville Board of Education’s early twentieth century building program and the State Department of Education’s recommendations to establish a three-tier school system in Janesville consisting of graded elementary, junior high (also referred to as middle school), and senior high schools in the 1920s and 1930s. Roosevelt Elementary School was subsequently adapted in 1939 and 1952 prior to the construction of subsequent elementary schools in Janesville, and in 1969 with a Library Media Center to remain current with evolving trends in education. The school is one of the four oldest operational modern elementary schools in the city.
Roosevelt Elementary School is also significant at the local level in the area of Architecture as a rare and distinctive example of the Georgian Revival style in Janesville. The original school and subsequent 1939 addition were designed by the Law, Law, and Potter – a firm with an esteemed portfolio of school designs. Characteristic of the Georgian Revival style, Roosevelt Elementary School features balanced facades, dentil cornices, open pediments, elliptical window and fanlights, and entrances marked with pediments and a portico with freestanding columns. The second addition, constructed in 1952, was similarly designed by Law, Law, Potter, and Nystrom to be consistent with the architectural character of the original school as was the 1969 addition (architect unknown).
Property Details
| Criteria | Architecture/Engineering |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Architecture |
| Period of Significance | 1929-1969 |
| Architectural Style | Colonial Revival |
| Architect | Law Law and Potter |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | School |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 1 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Contributing Objects | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Nov 15, 2024 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Apr 1, 2025 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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1138 E Memorial St
100011592
Located in Janesville, Rock County
Roosevelt Elementary School Listed in the State Register of Historic Places
Thursday, December 19, 2024
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of Roosevelt Elementary School in Janesville (Rock County) on the State Register of Historic Places.
3 Janesville Elementary Schools Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Thursday, April 17, 2025
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of three Janesville elementary schools in the National Register of Historic Places on April 1, 2025.
Adams Elementary School Listed in the State Register of Historic Places
Friday, December 06, 2024
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of Adams Elementary school in Janesville (Rock County) on the State Register of Historic Places.
