Milwaukee-Downer "Quad" facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Milwaukee-Downer "Quad"
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Milwaukee-Downer "Quad"
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| Location | 2512 E. Hartford St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
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| Architect | Alexander C. Eschweiler |
| Architectural style | Collegiate Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000106 |
| Added to NRHP | January 17, 1974 |
The Milwaukee-Downer "Quad" is a group of four historic buildings. They are located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These buildings were designed by a famous architect named Alexander C. Eschweiler. They were built between 1897 and 1905.
The "Quad" was originally home to the Milwaukee-Downer College. This college was a school for young women. The buildings have a special look called Collegiate Gothic architecture. This style makes them look like old European colleges. In 1974, the complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
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The College's Beginning
Milwaukee-Downer College was created in 1895. It was formed when two older schools for young women joined together. These schools were Milwaukee Female College and Downer College from Fox Lake. After they merged, the new college started building its campus. This new campus is what we now call the Downer Quad.
Building the First Halls
The first two buildings, Merrill Hall and Holton Hall, were built between 1897 and 1899. They were both designed by Alexander Eschweiler. Merrill Hall has a unique Tudor Revival style. It is made of red sandstone and red brick. It features a large square tower and a round observatory tower. It also has a chapel.
Holton Hall looks similar to Merrill Hall. It was built with a gymnasium for students. Once these two buildings were finished in 1899, the college moved all its activities to this new location.
Adding More Buildings
Over the next seven years, two more buildings were added. These were Johnston Hall and Greene Hall. Johnston Hall looks much like the other buildings. It has interesting carvings of human heads and other figures. Greene Hall is a smaller building. It is located behind Johnston Hall and looks like a small chapel.
Becoming Part of UWM
In 1964, Milwaukee-Downer College joined with Lawrence University. This university is located in Appleton, Wisconsin. After this, the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee bought the site. The historic "Quad" then became a part of the university's campus.
