HomeMy WebLinkAboutWilliamWatersGuide to
William Waters' Work
in Oshkosh
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Oshkosh. Public Library
designed by WilliamWaters and constructed in 1899.
William Water's-Bioguaplhy
Few An can cities can look with admiration and pride at niany of tlicir
hiituric 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 I 867 to 1917_ He left the mark of his talent
everywhere in Oshkosh, the Fox River Valley, and in many other areas of
Wisconsin.
Water-+cametoOshluisth asa young nnan from the statcofNew York, where
he was born in Franklin County in 1843. After attending various schools
there, this son of a merchant enrolled at Rensslaer Polyterhnie institute in
Tray, NY. He completed three s±rneslers 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
lbuildings such as the State Normal School (186)), and the Brooklyn Fire-
house (now Wisconsin Sign Service), also in 1869. A successful career
followed.
His greatest recognition carne when he entered and won a contest fur state
architects to design a Wisconsin building for the 1843 Columbian Exposi-
ti[an in Chicago. His three-story building, over 14,01!) sq- ft„ was huge and
impressive, and gave him state-wide recognition.
From 1867 until hii death in December, 1917, Waters continued to leave his
mark on Oshkosh. Today, we see the (rand Opera Hoiuse,Ochki sbPubliE'
Library, Public Museum, most of our older schools, beautiful cltureltes,
downtown buildings, and. some of our Iiiirrst residences 1a11 the design of
WilliamWaters). His great success was tied to "being in the right place at
the right time,," combined with a natural talent for architcctnral design.
Oshkosh was enjoying lumber wealth, and the. 'barnrLs" wanted hoirkes
reflecting not only their persril affluence but also the diversity of their
lumber's beauty. Many residences show this, with varied woods in csch
room. His work in Oshkosh and other cities was varied, including court-
houses, schools, banks, opera houses, churelies, hotels, stores, and homes_
In total, he designed over 150 buildings.
isn his own time, Waters was a respected citizen who often shared his gran rri
fortune with those who were needy. His obituary tells that he helped as a
landlord by leavingrentuncollect'd duriiig hard tirtiies, and supplying Free
coal and firewtxx3.
Today, William Waters Pla'.a, across from the Oshkosh Public Library (his
design) honor's his Memory.
William Waters
1843-1917
'Dedicated to a Master Architect
Who Left Many Elegant Public and Private Edific s
which stand as Monuments Throughout the City of C)shkosli.'
William Waters is buried in Riverside C znetery with other members of
his family.
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or further inform tior�, the Oshkosh Public Library has a complete
bibliography of their information on Oshkosh history and inistcarir'al
architectru.re. The bibliography includes the following book nri
Oshkosh, history.
E
Uistor-y-of Oshkosh by William L}awes
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Oshkosh, One I Iundred Y& +r, a City
Himtury of Winnebago County, by Richard J_ Horn& y
History of Winnebago County, Wiscr nsin: Its Cities,'L'owns
Resources, People, ed. P.V. Lawson
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11iustrat Atlas of Winriebgo Comity by Ucor o Randall
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The library also has a copy of the Int4.rtisive Historic. Survey done in
Oshkosh in 1981. This survey ci. ntainl, infrwnriation on ltiuudreds of
individual structures in Osliknsh by street address.
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i� Prepared by the Oshkosh Landmarks Cuuriiiyissiori 4190,
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Locations of William Waters' Work in Oshkosh
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Nrr-ResidenHalStruc ureS
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215Cuu.ciAvcnuo
RnckwellBuilding
I 234 ChL=hAwet�ue
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OslI]oosh City hail
24
8081+I, Main Stnaet
J 856 1]mV.'e3od Avenue
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101 rllgurrix BOufCua[d
11
244 G- 11th Avenue
3;, Fohn's Evan-1;,u44nrdn Charch IC 62? Iv, Irving ArCnu�.
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2
110 Algoma Boulevard
Jc(Ecrson School
25
1745 Oicgol S�rcct
L 608 Jackson Surfr
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IpL
hlgoms iluilditig
72
104 Fligh Avenue
Smith Sehonl
j+] 647 Jackson Sit
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3
137 A] gam&A vclevarsi
Grant O}tien Hciwwc
75
17 W. Sixth Avenue
Ew 12-12 Jwkson 5trcct
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Fit Con err-gaLic na1 Church
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101 Fligh Avenue
27
106 Waslsi ngicm Avenue
0 1449 5- Knapp Set
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pAlgamaSoulev8rd
1+4
20i1=..LevingAvenue
OshkoshPublic Librdry
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Trini+y Church
F'a�F�
Dale Schcat
Q 456 blt Vra Ron Street
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240 Alguonal2aulevsrd
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1395LajtprrtStreet
RESTdeittia1StructllT S
E 14:G14'.hTcwY�ekAvc-
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Orville BeachBadding
Areenter.Lon Mcrrnrial
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205 Algoma Boulevard{
3 3tt3V4'asluigwnAvenue
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1120 Mgr Boulevard
16
120-I24 K. Main Street
415 Divisian Sttut
802'"Va�hingt°n Avesl`le
Read School
17
2D6 N. ML6a Stmt
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751 Al uraB ulevard
U 816 Washingwa Avenuo
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ll?4hlg�maBoulevard
.6
?23N,Main Suret
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$42 ,AlgomaBoulevard
V 1122Wash,RgtonAw�nalc
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Algoma Blvd Qiodist Church
19
401, 405, 4U7 N.1vI in Street
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1149Atgon BaaleYard
W l20 Wasiiangtuu Avenue
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1331 Algoma Boulevard
20
414. 416. 41L 420, 420 A 1r'. Main St
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1304 AlgomaBaui-eward
X 1246 Waslingtna Avenue
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Oshkosh Public Museum
21
422, 424 N. Main 5t
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1428 AlgorrmBoulevazd
Y 310 Waugoo Awenuc
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138CharrhAvcnuc
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621AmheratAvenua
Z 316 iugooAvcsnw-
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