Few American cities can look with admiration and pride at many of their historic buildings having been designed by a single architect.  Oshkosh is one city that enjoys such a distinction.  William Waters, architect, lived and worked here for fifty years, from 1867 to 1917.  He left the mark of his talent everywhere in Oshkosh, the Fox River Valley, and in many other areas of Wisconsin.

Waters came to Oshkosh as a young man from the state of New York, where he was born in Franklin County in 1843.  After attending various schools there, this son of a merchant enrolled at Rensslaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.  He completed three semesters of a four-year course in civil engineering, and then decided to seek his fortune "West".  Attracted to Oshkosh by reconstruction opportunities after the great fires that ravaged the city from 1859 on, Waters began immediately designing important buildings such as the State Normal School (1869), and the Brooklyn Firehouse (now Wisconsin Sign Service), also in 1869.  A successful career followed.

His greatest recognition came when he entered and won a contest for state architects to design a Wisconsin building for the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.  His three-story building, over 14,000 sq. ft., was huge and impressive, and gave him state-wide recognition.

From 1867 until his death in December, 1917, Waters continued to leave his mark on Oshkosh.  Today, we see the Grand Opera House, Oshkosh Public Library, Public Museum, most of our older schools, beautiful churches, downtown buildings, and some of our finest residences (all the design of William Waters).  His great success was tied to "being in the right place at the right time," combined with a natural talent for architectural design.  Oshkosh was enjoying lumber wealth, and the "barons" wanted homes reflecting not only their personal affluence but also the diversity of their lumber's beauty.  Many residences show this, with varied woods in each room.  His work in Oshkosh and other cities was varied, including courthouses, schools, banks, opera houses, churches, hotels, stores and homes.  In total, he designed over 150 buildings.

In his own time, Waters was a respected citizen who often shared his good fortune with those who were needy.  His obituary tells that he helped as a landlord by leaving rent uncollected during hard times, and supplying free coal and firewood.

Today, William Waters Plaza, across from the Oshkosh Public Library (his design) honors his memory.

William Waters
1843-1917
"Dedicated to a Master Architect
Who Left Many Elegant Public Edifices
which stands as Monuments Throughout the City of Oshkosh."
William Waters is buried in Riverside Cemetery with other members of his family.