Wisconsin Gas Building facts for kids
The Wisconsin Gas Building is a famous tower in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was first called the Milwaukee Gas Light Building. This building has a cool Art Deco style, which means it has a stepped shape and interesting designs. Architects Eschweiler & Eschweiler designed it, and it was finished in 1930. The outside of the building uses different materials that go from dark colors at the bottom to lighter colors at the top.
About the Building
The top of this tall building is made of a special light-colored brick called Cream City brick. This brick is unique to the Milwaukee area. The building also has copper panels and fancy patterns of plants and designs made from terracotta. It stands 250 feet tall, which is about 76 meters, and has 20 floors.
The Wisconsin Gas Building was bought by Wisconsin Energy in 2001. Later, in 2004, it was sold to a company that turned it into office spaces for rent.
The Weather Flame
A special weather beacon shaped like a natural gas flame was put on top of the Wisconsin Gas Building in 1956. This flame tells people the weather forecast by changing its color and how it flickers.
The flame was turned off in 1973 because there was a big energy shortage at that time. But it was turned back on in 1985! The flame is 21 feet tall (about 6.4 meters) and weighs four tons. In 2013, the old neon lights were changed to new LED lights. These new LED lights can show millions of colors and different lighting patterns. This means the flame can show more than just the usual red, gold, and blue. It can even show colors for charity events or sports teams.
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 is:
- 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.
Sailors on Lake Michigan have also used the light from the flame as a guide for their boats over the years.
See also
In Spanish: Wisconsin Gas Building para niños
