click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 235 MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County | Racine |
| City/Village | Racine |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1929 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | |
| Historic Use | restaurant/supper club |
| Architectural Style | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
SQUARE 1-1/2 STORY CNR ENTRANCE TOWERWHITE GLAZED CERAMIC TILE FACADE W/ BLACK BRICK TILE TRIM TRANSOMED DOOR ROUND ARCH WINDOW IN TOWER TOWER W/ CORBELLED CORNICE AND CNR PILASTERS The White Tower System was one of the first short-order food chain in the country. Its restaurants served freshly brewed coffee, doughnuts for breakfast, ham sandwiches, pie, soda pop, but their five-cent hamburgers were their main attraction. The first White Tower opened in Milwaukee in November of 1926. It was open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, right from the begging as were all the other which followed. This one was built in 1929 and was operated here by White Tower System until 1964. |
| Bibliographic References | Old Main Street Historic District Walking Tour Guide, 1990 |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Old Main Street Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Aug 11, 1987 |
| State Register Listing Date | Jan 01, 1989 |
| Contributing | Yes |
| Additional Documentation | Dec 10, 2021 |
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.
SE CNR OF MAPLE RD AND FREISTADT RD
14523
Located in Germantown, Washington County
White Tower
circa 1920-1929
Exterior view of the White Tower hamburger restaurant, with "1502" posted on the door. The White Tower restaurants were founded by John and Thomas Saxe in Milwaukee in 1926, based on the success of...
