The Eschweiler Buildings on the County Grounds have a long and storied past. The buildings were originally erected as a agricultural school in the early 1900′s (emphasis mine):
In 1910, Milwaukee County’s rural population was the second largest in the state. For this reason, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors established a high school of agriculture and domestic economy, one of the state’s first ventures into technical education. Graduates would meet University of Wisconsin entrance requirements and would also gain education in improved methods of farming and in homemaking skills.
Alexander C. Eschweiler designed the school’s buildings including a residence hall and buildings for dairy, poultry and horticulture studies. When the school opened in 1912, Milwaukee County residents were admitted free, and non-residents paid tuition of $27 per month. The Milwaukee Taxpayer League reported in 1916, however, that the cost of the school was not justified by its small enrollment. World War I veterans increased the student body for a time, but by 1928, the county’s rural population had decreased and the school was closed. A total of 215 students had graduated from the school in two, three and four year programs.
Since then, the buildings have had many uses, the most commonly known as being the TB Sanatorium for the County. There have been a number of other uses for these buildings, including being the home of several businesses.
In 1978 the buildings were designated as a historical landmark.
Unfortunately, in more recent times, the history that goes with these grand old buildings have become ignored and the buildings themselves are in a state of severe neglect.
There are many people that feel that Scott Walker and the County is purposely neglecting these buildings in hope to have them eventually condemned and razed, in order to build something much more commercial.
In 2006, then Mayor of WauwatosaTheresa M. Estness sent a letter (note the first picture of the link, which shows the back of the administration building, especially the terrible shape the roof is in) to Robert Dennik, the former campaign staffer that Walker promoted to the County’s Director of Economic Development, bemoaning the condition of the buildings:
Using Federal Community Development Block Grant funds, the City expended $50,000 in 2004 toward rehabilitation and repairs on the S-5 building. This enabled the tenant, Land Information Services, to turn that building into a usable, revenue generating property for the County. Given the subsequent removal of the tenant and possible long-term abandonment of the S-5 building, I am concerned that this may be a misuse of federal funds. Due to this concern we are now speaking with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development to get a clarification on whether it is necessary for the County to reimburse these Federal funds.
In late 2004, the City of Wauwatosa and Milwaukee County agreed to split the costs of sealing the Eschweiler Administration building for the purpose of preventing further deterioration of the building from elemental, animal, and human encroachment. This partnership resulted in the City and the County spending $13,430 each for interior clean-up and removal of large amounts of debris and animal waste from the interior of this property.
In light of this past cooperation, including promises from me and the County Executive and the tax dollars spent to help preserve the Eschweiler buildings, I am sure you agree that at a minimum it is folly and at worst, a waste of taxpayer dollars, to see these buildings further deteriorate. This is especially true because so much time and money was spent to prevent just that.
Further abuses on this historical landmark were inflicted in 2007 when Walker allowed SWAT training exercises happen in the buildings.
The claims of intentional neglect seem to have more substance of late.
After seeing a reference to a problem with the Eschweiler buildings in a post by James Rowen, I made some phone calls and emails and was able to confirm that a tree indeed had fallen on one of the buildings. It sat there for over a week before enough citizens called it in and someone moved it. Sort of.
Based on this new information, I chose to take advantage of the first bit of sunlight in a long time and go for a walk on the county grounds.
As I trudged across the snow-covered, wind swept grounds, I contemplated the catacomb-like maze of tunnels that scroll all over under the county grounds. I cannot even begin to understand the amount of work that it will entail to locate and account for all of these tunnels, much less make accommodations for them as they lay the infrastructure.
I was also a little surprised about the amount of traffic the grounds still see, even in winter. There were tracks, both human and canine, crisscrossing the grounds. During the hour I was there, I saw half a dozen or so people and a handful of dogs also out to enjoy the beauty of the day and of the area.
As I neared the buildings, I saw different colored marker
s alerting people to the underground steam pipes, electric lines as well as surveyor markers. It was depressing to see these bright colored flags and markers standing as quiet omens of a sad future, like tombstones standing over empty graves.
As I closed in on the buildings, they first appeared to be OK, but as I got closer, I noted that there were signs of vandalism and neglect throughout the campus. Almost all the windows and doorways of all the buildings were boarded up, but many of the boards had holes in them, even those on the second story and higher.
I made my way through the campus to the westernmost building, which I had been told was the one that was damaged. As I rounded the corner of one of the other buildings, it was very easy to tell which tree it was and that someone had pushed it off the building. Well, most of it:
Tree branch sticking through the roof of western building
Same branch, different angle
While looking around, I saw other signs of neglect and other abuses:
Rotting woodwork on the same building that was hit by the tree.
A few bricks short...
Same missing bricks, from the side. The other side of the steps was still OK.
I also noticed one of the buildings had the boarding over a window ripped down and the window in itself was broken. My curiosity won over my better sense, and I climbed up one of the treacherous, ice-covered stairs to look inside. It was obvious that people had been there with cigarette butts on the floor and a lot of vandalism:
It is not surprising that Scott Walker would let these building fall into ruin, whether to have them razed for new development or other purposes. He is not from this area and does not share our pride of our history or understand the significance of these grounds. Furthermore, he is as shallow as only a life long politician can be, and only sees the grounds as something to be used to advance his own personal agenda, his political career.
UPDATE: I was just notified that there may be further problems with the grounds and the Eschweiler Buildings. From the The Business Journal:
Milwaukee architect Alexander Eschweiler designed the buildings nearly a century ago to house the county’s School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy. The buildings are listed on state and national registers of historic places.
To help UWM offset the cost of restoring the buildings, the County Board approved the addition of up to three new residential buildings near the Eschweiler buildings. Gilbert said the foundation is working to determine how many apartments will be part of the 850,000-square- foot engineering campus development.
The funny thing is, with everyone I spoke to, no one could remember permission being given for even more buildings, since the one they wanted to build was already encroaching on areas that were supposed to be preserved.
It is starting to look more and more like Walker and company, as we have been warning anyone who cared to listen, never had any intent on preserving the natural habitat or these historical buildings. Again, they just see the grounds as something to be profited from and don’t care at all about the ecological importance or the history of the place.
Wow, that’s downright shameful. Yet more proof that Scott Walker can’t run Milwaukee County properly, so it boggles my mind that he thinks he’s fit to serve as governor.
Wow. thanks for the history lesson this a.m. Even more reason to continue our quest to protect this land!
Could you also please follow up on the cochroach infestation problem at the Milwaukee Police Administration Building being operated and run by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. In that building, you actually have about 2,000 City Employees working every day along with the roaches and nasty, dirty bathrooms. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right?
I couldn’t answer to that, since this is the first that I’ve heard of it. However, I could tell you about the bugs at the Coggs Building, which the County just spent millions in fumigating, only to have it infested again in almost no time.
Um, these buildings have been in ‘disrepair’ for at least 20 years. That predates the current Administration. In fact, these buildings were being trashed by vandals back when your nemisis, Mr. Walker, was in High School in Delavan.
Back when I was in highschool in Tosa, the buildings were targets for trespassers(some benign like you) and vandalism. I am sure a look at Wauwatosa Police and County Sherrif logs from the last 30 years will include dozens of calls to break up parties and other disturbances out there.
It is one hell of a stretch to blame this on this one particular County Executive.
I think it would be great to find an affordable way to utilize these buildings in a manner that respects their architectural significance, but that doesn’t burden the taxpayers who, as you well know, are on the hook for lavish retirement benefits for several hundred County workers who profited from the Amentscam.
The buildings were in use until just a few years ago. One of the pictures that I took, but have yet to post, is for a school that was set up there. And yes, that use was within the last eight years. Unless you can prove otherwise, Milwaukee County has had only one exec in all that time.
However, that responsibility does fall upon the tax payers, since the buildings are on the state and federal list of historic landmarks. It is the onus of Milwaukee County to maintain them, and if they were to sell them, certain guidelines have to be followed.
I am glad to see that you, Fraley, as a Walker apologist, admits that Walker has failed to fix the pension mess like he said he would. Perhaps you would care to explain why Walker refused to pursue a lawsuit against the law firm that OKed the pension. Could it be because Graber was working at the firm?
Oh, and Brian, the bulk of the pension hit was over in 2004. The reason the pension fund is in trouble now is due to two reasons: Bush’s recession (caused by the same economic policies Walker endorses) and Walker’s failure to make the needed payments when he should have.
Welcome to Fantasy Island.
This has got to be one of the wierdest rants I hvae seen you waste your time on.
The buildings have been crumbling for years. End of story.
Here is an update on the property: http://www.zastudios.com/
My posting for: http://www.zastudios.com/, is for property in the Menomonee Valley, near 27th St. exit.
I have been walking my dogs almost daily out at the NE Quadrant of the County Grounds since 1992. Heartbreaking to see what is happening to our regional history. The only Eschweiler building that has been vacant since 1992 is the northernmost “Administration” building. All the others have been used as office space to low cost renters until Walker evicted all of them in Oct. of 2006.
Since then, the copper downspouts have been stolen and constant break ins and vandalism by punks is rampant. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Dept., the City of Wauwatosa, & the Wauwatosa Historical Society, all of whom I’ve contacted, don’t care. The neglect certainly seems intentional. In the near future, I can just envision politicians, including those from UWM, electing to raze these buildings to “save the taxpayers’ money” because renovating them as part of the proposed UWM Engineering Campus “would cost the taxpayers too much money.” Blah, blah, blah. Politics and BS as usual. Walker is as big a career politician sleazeball as Ament.
I agree, it is sad. I cannot go past there without thinking how beautiful those buildings were and all the history that goes with them, and not feel more than a little bit sad that Walker is letting them fall to ruins.
Perhaps if we got a national historical building group involved…
I have always been fascinated with these buildings. I knew they were neglected but not this much. I though Scott Walker would be a good governor until I read this article. I now know that he doesn’t care at all about these buildings or Milwaukee history. Thanks Chris for this article!
-Nathan Nitz
I have been driving by and and taking my dog to the dog park for years and always wondered about the history of those buildings. My 11 year old son is into all those ghost hunters and Ghost Adventures shows and he asked me if it is haunted? I saw that it used to be a TB sanitorium so I’m sure it could be possible? Have you heard of any paranormal experience? Also if you had those 2 shows are looking for places to go to. It would give the buildings national exposure to the public so maybe they can be saved. Ghost hunters is coming to Milwaukee Oct 16 to check out the Pabst Theater. It’s just a thought.
Word is that they are haunted, although I am not aware of the specific story behind any hauntings. I would recommend checking out Haunted Spots Tours or Caper Company Tours for further information.
Cindy B: In the 20+ years I’ve been walking out at The Grounds, I’ve felt only a sense of calm peace and dignity around these buildings. I’ve run into so many teen and 20 somethings asking me about the buildings. The past 20+ years, there have been many old buildings demolished out at The Grounds. I’ve never seen anything paranormal out there. However, I certainly feel quite a presence out at the Grounds. A sign near the Potters Field at the far east end of The Grounds states that there are “4000″ graves out at The Grounds. That’s a lot of graves! Google “Danvers” and read some very interesting articles about the now demolished HUGE mental hospital in Massachusettes. There is such an energy and power about these places. Also lots of fascinating stuff on You Tube about Danvers!
I was just out there to walk the trail and see the sunset. I was surprised to learn that from August through late September, Monarch Butterflies roost so close to downtown Milwaukee. The whole area certainly has some history, and it would be sad to see it slip away. I know money is tight for everyone, but do we really want to give up another piece of history and a rare green space?
I just talked to a woman from the administration department of the city of Wauwatosa. She confirmed that UWM PLANS on buying the property in front of the buildings leading to watertown plank road and building a new Engineering building. UWM however will not be touching the buildings or the land surrounding them. She didn’t have an exact answer but said that in the future they will be re-purposed for things such as apartments.
The private land developers know as the UWM Foundation have already been taking proposals for the buildings. They want to sell them off to private renovators who will do the restoration work. Or so we’ve been told.
Do you have any knowledge as to where I might be able to locate the records of the children that were housed at the Milwaukee Home for Dependent Children during the 1940′s era ? … my dad lived there before being put into a foster home … no one can give me a definate answer as to where these records might be kept.
I did a search for historical landmarks and could not find these buildings listed. Does anyone know where I could find proof that they are listed?
Those buildings have a long history. And many people have made attempts to remember and preserve them. National Register of Historical Places website has a listing for two of those buildings: Milwaukee County Home For Dependent Children (added to registry list in 1999- #98001587),was an orphange, where my mother lived for 11 years with 4 of her 6 siblings beginning in the mid 1920′s The other building, Milwaukee County School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy (added tio registery list in 2002 – #9001535)is also listed. If you need to more evidence of that areas historical significance, search for Milwaukee county potter’s field an early cemetery for the unfortunate and the Milwaukee Alms house which started the development of social consceiousness in Milwaukee in the 1850′s. AS I said there is a long history which your governor has forgotten. Greed and ambitition is his motivation. Now he wants to take that philosophy to the White House.
I stayed in the Milwaukee County Childrens Home in the early 1970′s for about four or five years,I know the building was demolished and I was trying to locate old pictures of the building.
Joyce, I would suggest that you try the Milwaukee County Historical Society first. If that fails, then maybe the Parks Department. I know that they had some old photos of the area hanging on the wall at the mental health complex as well.
Visited last week. Bldgs very deteriorated. Other Eschweiler bldgs being saved, and often without tenants, are the Milwaukee Road Complex, at 25th and St. Paul area. On the Administration Bldg is the date 1911. On a sidewalk around the corner is the date 1989. They are gorgeous buildings, with ornamental brickwork, woodwork, and classical lines. They are also being targeted by grafetti artists, one of whom labeled his work ’2011′.
As to being put to use as a Sanatarium, it has been argued that intact Sanatariumn buildings could be put to use, now, as housing for Aids patients. But not this one, it’s too far gone for immediate use.
On the other hand, the UW-M red brick buildings on the former Downer campus, north of Hartford, have been rehabbbed and are open to the public. The firm also did the former WI Gas Bldg, at about 626 E. Wisconsin Av. Although I don’t know it it’s now open for business, the exterior speaks of an Eschweiler design. Lastly, the final project done by the Eschweilers was the Milwaukee County Museum. The intention to fill the space full of curves was boycotted, yet some of this is still seen.
The comment that the decay of the buildings is due to Walkers leadership neglects the history of Scott Walker’s feelings for this important landmark. In 2002, then County Executive, Scott Walker, together with Mayor, Theresa Estness, initiated an interactive design session with 150 residents to receive public input on the future development of the Eschweiler Buildings. The overall concerns raised by Walker and Estness along with residents included that the County shoud preserve the Eschweiler buildings.
The designation as a Milwaukee County Landmark is primarily honorific and does not confer any special protection on a structure, provide it with any financial or legal advantage, or, conversely, modify or limit the owner’s property rights. Only the moral force of public opinion – not anything in the law – can protect a landmark from demolition or serious alteration. I mention this because UWM does not have any legal obligation to preserve these buildings, and they may not care what the public thinks about how they should be used. My hope is that the public does care and that this issue does not become perversely used to endorse one candidate over another.
I hear that there is a Potters Field or as it is officially called, The Almshouse Cemetery near a Soccer Field. Is that true and where would it be approximately located at? The only Soccer Field that I saw was in a Park near by the County Grounds where The Eschweiler Buildings are located that is on the other side of some train tracks. How many of these Potter’s Field’s are there on these grounds that are still in existence today that can be seen or visited? Because I only found one that is a ways behind the We Energies Plant that is there on the Grounds. Any help would be grateful on locating them.
I was just out there yesterday and it is so sad to see that these buildings are in such disarray the way there all are and that they are so neglected. I love old buildings and homes, cause of the history that goes along with that home or building, especially these buildings on these grounds. It makes one’s mind just take off with the imagination of what it was like on these grounds back then and how did they look back then.
From 1872 until 1974, Milwaukee County provided burial for the poor, the destitute and the marginalized in one of four cemeteries located on the Milwaukee County Grounds. Alternately known as the “Poor Farm Cemetery,” “Almshouse Cemetery,” and “Potter’s Field,” two of these burial grounds were located north of Wisconsin Avenue and two others were situated north of Watertown Plank Road at about 87th Street. The former were in use from 1872 until 1925, while the latter were utilized from 1925 until 1974. Over 6,000 names are listed in “The Register of Burials for the Milwaukee County Poor Farm,” which covers most of the period the cemeteries were in active use. The Milwaukee County Cemeteries on the Milwaukee County Grounds in Wauwatosa were designated official Milwaukee County Landmarks in recognition of their historic significance.
Source
Brianna: Glad to see people are still commenting on this blog! The “official” Potters Field is north of the daycare center located north of 87th and Plank Rd. There is a paved access road going north from this intersection that dead ends alongside the cemetary. When I was very active in the original “Save The County Grounds” effort in the mid to late 90s, Bob Bouchert, the farsighted wonderful man who spearheaded the effort, stated that of all the test wells being drilled in a 100 acre Grounds area for perc testing, ~75% contained human remains. Seeing as “4000″ patients had been buried at the Grounds over the decades (this from a sign near the Potters Field), this is not difficult to believe. Remember the 100s of unmarked graves that were blundered into when construction was started for a parking structure in the Medical complex back in the 80s?
I really like old historic buildings and I do not know what is in store in the future for these beautiful old buildings. It would be a shame to continue let these buildings fall apart by old age, destroy them by using them for swat training or tear them down simply because they are in the way.
I think the Eschweiler Buildings should be restored back to their original condition like when “Alexander C. Eschweiler first designed the school’s buildings including a residence hall and buildings for dairy, poultry and horticulture studies.” They should be restored to be in a museum style setting where people can come and look to see how Technical Schools were back in the 1900′s.
What to do with these Historic Buildings? Repairs to them would be in the millions, oh yes it was promise by the powers to keep them an not destroy. Now the Mandel Group wants to take destroy. Perhaps if MKE County did not drag there buts they could have repaired one at a time? Did this last recall election cost 82.million, seeing the Governor an Mayor are good at fun raising for there cause , maybe just maybe they could help an raise money for the Buildings.. Is there any recall money left over?
There is now an online petition to help save the buildings. There is some updated news there also.
Thanks, Mike!