HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6-Irving Church Historic District MarkerIrving-Church Historic District
The Irving-Church Historic District is bounded by West Irving Avenue, Church Avenue, Franklin Street, and
Elmwood Avenue. The period of historic architecture spans from the 1850s to the 1930s. Queen Anne,
Greek Revival, Italianate, Craftsman, Tudor, and Prairie are a few of the many architectural styles preserved
in the district. This area was originally part of a 155-acre section of land that George Wright Sr. staked 1 2
claim to circa 1838. He was one of the original settlers of early Oshkosh. Upon his death in 1841, Wright Sr. 3
divided his land between his three sons, Philip, William, and George F. William, who received 106 acres of
his father’s estate, divided the land into city lots and sold the them at an affordable price to encourage
settlement in Oshkosh. His civic pride earned him the reputation as the “Father of Oshkosh.” Oshkosh’s 4
middle- and upper-class citizens like lumbermen, lawyers, merchants, bankers, doctors, educators, and
politicians resided in this area of the city. One of the neighborhood’s influential residents was Rose C. Swart.
She taught at the Oshkosh Normal School (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) for 51 years and was a leader
in the Women’s Suffrage movement. Some of Oshkosh’s wealthy lumber families like Morgan, Radford, 5
Choate, Campbell, and Conlee lived in the district. Several of the homes here were designed by renowned 6
Oshkosh architects Adam Bell, Edwin Cole, and William Waters. Waters, who resided in the neighborhood, 7
had the honor of designing the Wisconsin Building at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. 8
This district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
1 National Register of Historic Places Nominating Request Form-
https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset?assetID=6b929b4b-5fd7-47cc-9efe-56a7a98adff0
2 1846 US Land Patent to George Wright-
https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=WI1170__.405&docClass=STA&sid=3he5dslc.m5e
3 Some sources say 1837 some say 1838. Geographical and statistical history of the county of Winnebago pg 66 from 1856 says
Wright arrived in spring of 1838. History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin : its cities, towns, resources, people pg 201 from 1908
also say 1838. This is in the section of the recollections from William W. Wright-- Son of George Wright Sr. --
4 History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin : its cities, towns, resources, people pgs 200-207. Also mention in his obituary Oshkosh
Daily Northwestern March 24, 1903 pg 8.
5 (Rose C. Swart listed at 37 Elm St in city directories) Sketches of Wisconsin pioneer women pgs 144 to 147. Think of Me: A
Eulogy for Rose C. Swart -online exhibit through UW-Polk Library Archives
6 National Register of Historic Places Nominating Request Form-
https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset?assetID=6b929b4b-5fd7-47cc-9efe-56a7a98adff0
7 Morgan House was built by Bell & Cole, as well as others in the neighborhood- Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, December 6,
1884, Pg 2. William Waters built homes in the district (his own included) A Compilation of Articles Pertaining to the Works of
Architect William Waters.
8 Columbian Exposition Dedication Ceremonies Memorial: A Graphic Description pgs 254-255