In terms of architectural development, the most interesting period is that spanning the late 1880's through the early 1900's. This time period includes the largest number of significant designs and the best examples of the local crafts. The city's orientation toward lumber and woodworking concerns is particularly evident during this time.

Initially, the terms builder and architect were used interchangeably in Oshkosh. Education in. the building trades was through the apprenticeship system. Building trade journals and pattern books probably served as supplements, thus playing a role in local design. Advertisements of the 1870's indicate some differentiation between the two occupations, however, builders were equipped to provide plans as well as construction services, and in some cases were involved in development of tracts for sale or rent. The contributions of both architects and builders have been noted in this section.

A brief discussion of the major architectural styles, with references to significant buildings, follows. A section providing biographical sketches of important architects and builders (practicing prior to the 1930's) is included, as is a description of local quarries and brickyards.

Greek Revival

Evidence of the growth of Oshkosh during the mid-nineteenth century is apparent in the many Greek Revival dwellings existing in the city. The largest number of this style appear south of the Fox River in the old Algoma and Brooklyn neighborhoods. The northern portion of the city contains examples of the Greek Revival; however, because of continued growth and rebuilding these do not occur in the concentrations evident in the southern neighborhoods.

No examples of the colonnaded temple form exist in Oshkosh; rather the designs are simple, abstract representations of the temple facade. Many of the buildings have been altered, normally by porch or side additions and replacement of clapboards with other siding materials. Broad entablatures, returned eaves and broad gable roofs remain as stylistic clues.

The most prevalent form of Greek Revival buildings in Oshkosh is the two story rectangular mass with gable end perpendicular to the street. The house located at 1623 Delaware Street (OS 1/23) is one of the best early examples of this type. Broad corner pilasters frame the house and visually support the entablature. The central doorway repeats this classical motif of pilasters and entablature. An equally fine example is located at 210 Eleventh Ave (OS 3/2). In this instance, the entablature continues across the facade, forming a pediment. A more elaborate pediment form, complete with modillions and dentils, creates a somewhat top heavy design at 217 High Avenue (OS 11/4). Another interesting Greek Revival is at 1157 High Avenue (OS 18/8). A one story porch with square posts surrounds the front and sides of the building, thus implying the temple form.

Somewhat less common in Oshkosh is the building with entrance on the long axis and gable parallel to the street. The small frame house at 1409 Catherine Street (OS 4/36) is of this type. A porch consisting of simple columns shelters the entrance; a wing with attic windows extends to the rear.

Italianate

Italianate designs in Oshkosh are of two types: the compact, symmetrical form and a more picturesque asymmetrically massed form. Regardless of the basic outline, proportions tend to emphasize verticality and mass. Carved brackets and well articulated fenestration are common to both types.

The earliest example of the compact symmetrical form is the c. 1856 Bowen house at 1010 Bayshore (OS 16/11). Broad gable roofs rise over each elevation of this building. A belvedere enhances the composition, as do brackets along the eaves. Later examples dating from the 1860's and 1870's, such as the Ripley house at 545 Algoma Blvd. (OS 12/2), and a residence at 226 High Avenue (OS 10/36), are constructed of brick and include frame belvederes and fine details. Brick work on corner pilasters and window arches on a former residence at 1113 Oregon (OS 3/2) is noteworthy.

Frame residences repeated the basic volumes of the masonry structures. The most striking of the frame buildings is a one story Italianate "cottage" 26 W. New York (OS 5/29) with a large distinctive belvedere and elongated windows. Other frame residences such as the Nicolai house at 320 Otter Avenue (OS 15/28) are fairly contained but include a slightly projecting center pavilion which terminates in a low pediment.

In contrast, the Wall house at 554 Algoma Blvd. (OS 11/36) and houses at 303 Mt. Vernon (OS 7/13), 1531 W. New York Avenue (OS 18/9) and 429 Algoma Blvd. (OS 12/11) are picturesque designs. Projecting wings, bay windows, and porches contribute to an asymmetrical massing.

Italianate Commercial Buildings

Frame - The southern portion of the city contains good examples of frame commercial structures dispersed throughout the neighborhoods. Generally a parapet terminates in a peak and conceals the roof gable. Storefronts have been altered and in most cases the buildings have been re-sided.

The two story structure at 1418 Oshkosh Avenue (WN 26/7) is a remnant of old Algoma. The first story is covered with pressed tin. A small scale example of the Italianate survives (barely) at 713 Minnesota Street (OS 4/3).

Masonry - A series of fires in the 1870's resulted in ordinances requiring fire proof construction in the Main Street commercial area. William Waters and his assistant James Jensen provided designs for many of the Italianate commercial blocks constructed after 1875. These designs were distinguished by articulated window heads (either brick segmented arches or pressed metal hood moldings) and cornice work often with pediments. Stores were designed as single bays or in some cases as double stores with central stair. In either case the average height was two stories. The Ernst Block (OS 11/20) is the best remaining example of Waters double storefront.

Second Empire

There are very few remaining examples of the Second Empire style in Oshkosh. Historic photographs indicate that a number of residences and business blocks were either "modernized" or constructed in this style in the late 1870's.

Today only two noteworthy examples remain; a residence at 463 Mt. Vernon (OS 6/35) and the Crane house at 417 Algoma (OS 12/12). The former is basically intact, with a concave mansard roof rising above the brick structure. The Crane house features a more elaborate roof line with wall dormers covered by curved gables which repeat the mansard shape. A one story brick addition has obscured much of the building, destroying the integrity of the design.

Richardsonian Romanesque

The sense of massiveness of the Richardsonian Romanesque is achieved through the use of rough cut stone, squat proportions, and often, round arches. The number of residences of this style in Oshkosh is limited. The Arthur Jones house at 1057 Algoma Blvd. (OS 17/11) is the most complete example. It is constructed of rock faced limestone. The front entrance is marked by a round arch.

The appropriate massing and manipulation of form is most evident in the Richardsonian Romanesque churches in Oshkosh such as Trinity Episcopal Church at 203 Algoma Boulevard (OS-12/21) and Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church at 1174 Algoma (OS-18/45), both of which are on the National Register. The Algoma Block at 110 Algoma Blvd. (OS 12/26) is the only commercial structure designed in this manner.

Queen Anne

The Queen Anne style dominated design in Oshkosh from the 1880's to the turn of the century by which time classical influence was evident. The proposed Algoma Blvd., Washington Avenue and Irving-Church Historic Districts contain many of the best examples of this style.

The earliest examples of Queen Anne style consist of simple, intersecting rectangular masses with decorative details such as spindlework canopies and bargeboards, as in 18 W. Lincoln Ave. (OS 6/15). Increasingly, greater surface enrichment and varieties of materials were introduced. The McMillen house at 1107 Algoma (WN 29/5) is one example of the quality carpentry work apparent throughout the city.

Picturesque design was achieved through the juxtaposition of towers, turrets, bay windows, and porches. The residence at 219 W. New York (OS 5/25) and a small "cottage" at 1721 Mt. Vernon Street illustrate the emphasis on tower forms.

A number of designs are repeated throughout Oshkosh. The house at 521 Mt. Vernon (OS 7/3) is a fine example of a Queen Anne with its square tower flanked by a circular tower. This same design occurs at 619 Franklin (WN 29/22) and 1133 Algoma (OS 17/14). In some instances this repetition can be linked to an architect. For example, E.E. Stevens designed the Buckstaff house at 1212 Washington (OS 9/20) and the Wakeman house at 621 W. Irving (OS 16/24). Similar designs at 618 Mt. Vernon and 529 Algoma suggest Stevens involvement, however, this has not been documented. In other cases, the repetition suggests that this was an economical, expedient method for local builders to meet the expanding market.

Shingle Style

The Shingle Style appeared to a limited degree in the city. William Waters' residence for Ben Hooper (National Register site) is the best example. Another residence at 421 Waugoo (WN 29/32) exhibits the shingled surface and flowing forms of the Shingle Style.

The use of shingles and features such as the hooded gable of the Hooper house appear in other designs executed on a smaller scale, and incorporating Colonial Revival motifs 706 Parkway (OS 8/9) and 627 Florida (OS 1/25).

Colonial Revival

Classical influence was apparent in the ornamentation of late Queen Anne designs. Generally this ornament included window , treatment, columns, and swag motifs. Beginning in the late 1890's, this trend expanded to include the classicizing of form and the emergence of the Colonial Revival style.

During the period from c. 1895 to 1910, designs became more contained and formal with ornament concentrated on the front facade. Smooth planes with little variation in depth predominated while bay windows and oriels were carefully integrated into the design.

Oshkosh has an impressive number of designs illustrating the Colonial Revival influence. These can be grouped according to scale and general composition. Although many of these designs are located in proposed historic districts, the possibility of creating a thematic grouping exists. See Chapter VI. Following is a list of residences designed in this manner, with evaluations of eligibility included.

Colonial Revival - large scale, two story building with attic under hipped roof; well developed, full porch is major focal point. 1898-1908 general dates. "P" indicates those properties pivotal to a district and "C" those considered to be contributing while "N" identifies non-contributing intrusions.

Colonial Revival style, similar scale but vertical element introduced in form of front gable. 1903-1905 general date.

Colonial Revival - a small scale (one story with attic) version combines classical details with interesting shingle work.

Georgian Revival

The more academic, Georgian Revival style appeared to a limited degree in Oshkosh. The most monumental example is the Gates house located at 404 W. New York (OS 5/23). This design features a full portico complete with triangular pediment. A "modernization" of an Italianate dwelling, the Horn House, 1662 Doty Street (OS 1/16), included a grand portico, however, as in most other examples, the portico appears out of scale (undersized in this instance, oversized in others).

More modest Georgian Revival designs were generally two story rectangular masses with dormers and denticulated cornices. The houses at 1428 Algoma (OS 17/36) and 219 Court Street (OS 16/17) are fine examples of this style.

Tudor Revival and English Cottage

Beginning in the 1920's, Medieval English country house designs became a model for large residential projects. In Oshkosh, these residences are generally two stories, with masses composed in an informal manner. A variety of materials (stone, stucco, timber) and a variety of Tudor elements (chimney groups, tudor arches, half timbering) characterize these designs. They are located in the proposed Bayshore Drive, Algoma Blvd., and Washington Ave. Historic Districts. The complete list of buildings is included here.

Prairie School Type

Frank Lloyd Wright designed a small residence for Steven Hunt in 1917 at 1165 Algoma (OS 17/19). This one story residence reflects Wright's emphasis on horizontal elements, with low hip roof overhanging bands of windows. This is the only pure example of the Prairie School in Oshkosh; however, a number of residences exhibit characteristics of a later phase of the style.

In these buildings, asymmetrical massing has been abandoned in favor of a more compact, formal composition. Consistently constructed of either brick or stucco, the buildings date from mid-1920's to mid-1930's. Although two stories in height, the low hip roofs, bands of windows and often, stringcourses create the desired horizontality. Details reflect a greater interest in historicism.

Beaux Art Classic

Many major public buildings in Oshkosh were designed in the Beaux Art manner following the turn of the century. William Waters was primarily responsible for this shift to the historical mode of design.

The Beaux Art shaped the appearance of the Columbian Exposition in 1893. Waters designed the Wisconsin Building for the fair, and although this was not a classical building, he undoubtedly was attuned to the spirit or the exposition.

Waters' design for the Oshkosh Public Library at 106 Washington Avenue (OS 10/18) contained the symmetrical, balanced facade typical of Beaux Arts classicism. The library consists of a central pavilion with grand portico, and flanking wings. A low dome rises from the central drum to complete the design. The First Baptist Temple at 138 Church Avenue (OS 14/16) is similar to this design.

Later buildings such as the former Post Office at 219 Washington Avenue (OS 10/11), the Daily Northwestern Office at 224 State Street (OS 10/19) and the Paine Thrift Bank at 1621 Congress Avenue (OS 18/12) repeat the classical theme.

Vernacular

The majority of the small scale dwellings surviving from the nineteenth century have been significantly altered. Generally these were one story or one story with attic, frame houses resting on high cut stone foundations. Roofs were low gable or hip.

An interesting house type is the double house located at 826-828 Frederick Street (WN 28/22). This is a one story frame house with gable running parallel to the lot line.