click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 301 W Michigan St |
|---|---|
| County | Milwaukee |
| City/Village | Milwaukee |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1835 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 1984,2010,2019,2025 |
| Historic Use | park |
| Architectural Style | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments | 2010: This modest, one-block sized park contains sidewalks, picnic tables, a statue of former Milwaukee Mayor Carl Frederick Zeidler, as wall as a small, modern pavilion. Vegetation consists of grass, limited landscaping and mature trees. One of the oldest parts in Milwaukee, this small parcel was set aside as a park as part of the initial plat of Kilbourntown. A key purpose of this set-aside for a "public square" was to have land available for the initial location of the county courthouse, which ultimately was built in rival Juneautown at what is now Cathedral Square Park. Never formally developed outside of grass and a few trees, the park nevertheless provided for an attractive entrance to the Milwaukee Road Railroad Depot (no longer extant). The park was named after Milwaukee Mayor Carl Frederick Zeidler, who was elected mayor in 1940 and, in 1942, left his mayoral post to join the Merchant Marines. He was killed in the South Atlantic in December 1942. 2019 - Resurveyed (streetcar project). Appearance unchanged. Update photo. Resurveyed for Milwaukee Downtown Connector Arch/History Survey, SHPO#10-0983, Prepared by Heritage Research (2010). 2025; The footprint of Fourth Ward Square (also known as Zeidler Union Park Square or Pere Marquette Park) was first reserved for use as a green space in 1835. This modest, one-block sized park is symmetrically bisected by paved paths that meet at the centralized, modern gazebo – a public art installation sculpted by locals Terese Agnew and Mary Zebell in 1995. The landscape design is limited to grass and mature trees. Iron park benches with wooden seats line the outer pathways. The boundaries of the park are flanked by sidewalks, a bus lane, and three parking lanes. This park was evaluated for the National Register under Criteria A, B, and C. Preliminary research indicates that this small parcel was set aside as a park as part of the initial plat of Kilbourntown in 1835. A key purpose of this set-aside for a "public square" was to have land available for the initial location of the county courthouse, which ultimately was built in rival Juneautown at what is now Cathedral Square Park. Never formally developed outside of grass and a few trees, the park nevertheless provided for an attractive entrance to the Milwaukee Road Railroad Depot (nonextant). The park was named Zeidler Union Square Park in the 1960s’ after Milwaukee Mayor Carl Frederick Zeidler, who served as Mayor from 1940-42. It is home of “Wisconsin State Historical Marker 265: Carl Frederick Zeidler” at the corner of West Michigan Street and North Vel Phillips Avenue. It is one of the oldest parks in Milwaukee. Research does not suggest any significance under Criteria A: History or B: People. At the time of survey, the park remains a grass lot with some mature trees. There remains an absence of features indicative of a designed park setting. Per National Register Bulletin 18, Fourth Ward Square displays a lack of design intent and therefore does not qualify under the National Register survey criteria as a designed historic landscape (Criterion C). |
| Bibliographic References | Ralph Aderman, "Trading Post to Metropolis: Milwaukee County's first 150 Years." John Gurda, "The Making of Milwaukee." Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps |
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.
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.
Carl Zeidler Campain Card
1940
Campaign card promoting Carl Zeidler for the office of Mayor of Milwaukee.
PARKVIEW, MADISON, JANESVILLE AND HIGH STS
85387
Located in Milton, Rock County
