Wisconsin Gas Building facts for kids
The Wisconsin Gas Building is a tall, impressive building in downtown Milwaukee. It has a unique Art Deco style, which was popular for buildings in the 1920s and 1930s. Architects Eschweiler & Eschweiler designed it, and it was finished in 1930. The building uses different materials on its outside, making it look darker at the bottom and lighter at the top.
About the Building
This building stands 250 feet tall and has 20 floors. Special light-colored bricks, known as Cream City brick, are used at the top. Copper panels decorate the spaces between the windows. You can also see cool plant-like designs and patterns made from terracotta, a type of clay, all over the building's exterior.
The Wisconsin Gas company owned the building for many years. In 2001, Wisconsin Energy bought Wisconsin Gas. Later, in 2004, the building was sold to a new owner. It was then changed into office spaces that companies could rent. By 2025, the building faced financial trouble.
The Famous Weather Flame
A special light shaped like a natural gas flame was added to the top of the Wisconsin Gas Building in 1956. This "weather flame" tells people the weather forecast using different colors and how it flickers.
The flame was turned off in 1973 because of an energy crisis happening at the time. But don't worry, it was turned back on in 1985! The flame is quite large, standing 21 feet tall and weighing four tons.
In 2013, the old neon lights were replaced with new LED lights. These new lights can show millions of colors. This means the flame can now display colors for special events, charities, or even local sports teams, not just the traditional weather colors.
There's a fun rhyme to help people remember what the colors mean:
- When the flame is red, it's warm weather ahead.
- When the flame is gold, watch out for cold.
- When the flame is blue, there's no change in view.
- When there's a flickering flame, expect snow or rain!
Another version of the rhyme says:
- When the flame is red, warm weather is ahead.
- When the flame is gold, watch out for cold.
- When the flame is blue, there's no change in view.
- Where there's agitation, expect precipitation.
For many years, sailors on Lake Michigan have used the bright light of the flame as a guide to help them navigate.
See also
In Spanish: Wisconsin Gas Building para niños
