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 Ave. contained the symmetrical, balanced façade 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 is similar to this design.

Later buildings such as the former Post Office at 219 Washington Avenue, the Daily Northwestern Office at 224 State St. and the Paine Thrift Bank at 1621 Congress Ave. repeat the classical theme.