Historic Preservation

The following list features Wauwatosa properties that have been granted historic designation by the City of Wauwatosa. Many of these local landmarks are also listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Enjoy and celebrate Wauwatosa’s rich heritage.

• 7406 Hillcrest Drive: Kneeland-Walker House; designated April 2, 1996
• 1609 Church Street, Thomas Benjamin Hart House; designated April 2, 1996
• 343 Glenview Avenue, Harrison Ludington Residence; designated June 3, 1997
• 1409-27 Underwood Avenue, Dittmar-Robertson Building; designated June 3, 1997
• 8000 Milwaukee Avenue, Dr. Fisk Holbrook Day house; designated May 5, 1998
• 7720 Harwood Avenue, Little Red Store; designated May 5, 1998
• 9722 Watertown Plank Road, School for Agriculture and Domestic Economy – Eschweiler Buildings; designated November 7, 2000
• 9508 Watertown Plank Road, Home for Dependent Children Administration Building – County Parks; designated November 7, 2000
• Church Street Historic District – 1448-1630 Church Street and 7758 Menomonee River Parkway (16 properties); designated July 17, 2001
• 1626 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa Woman’s Club building; designated May 1, 2001
• 2107 Wauwatosa Avenue, Lowell Damon house; designated April 1, 2003
• 7212-26 West North Avenue, Arcade building; designated April 1, 2003
• 12323 Watertown Plank Road, Luther Clapp residence; designated June 1, 2004
• 1511 Church Street, First Congregational Church; designated June 3, 2008
• 7105 Grand Parkway, Ernest Flagg stone masonry house; designated August 5, 2008
• Wauwatosa Avenue Historic District – 1809 -2242 Wauwatosa Avenue, 7537 and 7540 Kenwood, and 7606 Stickney Avenue (35 properties); designated February 10, 2010
• Muellner building, 7300 Chestnut Street; designated May 1, 2012
• Rockway/Brookside Places Historic District – all residential properties on Rockway Place and Brookside Place (23 properties); designated June 5, 2012
• Wauwatosa Cemetery Chapel, 2435 Wauwatosa Avenue; designated August 7, 2012
• Zeddie Hyler house, 2363 North 113th Street; designated January 21, 2020
• Hart Park complex, 72nd/State Streets; designated January 21, 2020
• Blanchard Street pumping station, 7300 Blanchard Street; designated January 21, 2020

If you are the owner of a property on this list and intend to make exterior changes that require a building permit, the Historic Preservation Commission is the design review board that will review and approve the changes.

Other Designations

In addition to local historic designation, many properties in Wauwatosa are listed on:

• National Register of Historic Places
• State Register of Local Places
• Milwaukee County Landmark

What is Local Historic Designation?

Historic designation is the process by which a site, structure, district or area is officially recognized as having historical, architectural, or archeological significance within the City of Wauwatosa. It is the primary means for identifying and preserving Wauwatosa’s historic resources.

Is My Property Eligible for Designation?

A property of site is eligible if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

• Exemplifies or reflects the broad cultural, political, economic, or social history of the community
• Is identified with an historic person or persons or with important events in national, state, or local history
• Contains architectural or distinctive characteristics that are valuable for research and study of a specific period of time, style, method of construction, material, or craftsmanship
• Represents the work of a master builder or architect
• Contains historic information
• Is significant based solely on the depth and quality or the architecture represented

How Do I Benefit?

Local designation is an honor and a way of expressing that you are proud of your property. It recognizes that a building or site is important to the City’s historic and cultural heritage. There is satisfaction in knowing that you are keeping up your home or building in the very best way—and improving the value.

How Does the Community Benefit?

Local designation protects properties from inappropriate and unmanaged change by requiring Historic Preservation Commission review of additions and some exterior alterations. Historic preservation enriches the lives of all Wauwatosa residents. It fosters civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past and protects this heritage for future generations. Preservation improves the quality of life by adding character to the area, promoting tourism, and increasing property values. Local designation also encourages owners of historic landmarks to invest in their buildings.

Am I Required to Restore My Property?

No. Local historic designation does not require property owners to recreate the original appearance of the building. However, because the property is historically significant, preservation is encouraged.

Can I Make Changes to My Property?

Yes. Only changes that affect the exterior of the structure that require a building permit are reviewed by the Preservation Commission. When approved, the Commission issues a Certificate of Appropriateness, a written affirmation that the proposed change is consistent with the historic character of the property while meeting the modern day needs of the residents.

How Do I Apply for Local Designation?

An application form may be obtained by calling the Development Department at (414) 479-8957 or emailing Planning Division staff. Submit the completed application to the Planning Division staff to schedule for a public hearing and review by the Historic Preservation Commission. After a public hearing to discuss the pending designation, the Commission forwards its recommendation to the Common Council for action. Applicants are encouraged to attend all meetings and comment on their application.

Design review boards were created to review and approve the exterior design and aesthetic aspects of building projects. Their purpose is to promote good design and continuity, which often impacts the overall appearance and property value of a neighborhood. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, changes to the exterior of the structure that require a building permit need approval by a design review board. If your home has been designated a local historic place or is located in a locally designated historic district, the City’s Historic Preservation Commission will function as the design review board.

The Commission generally meets at City Hall, 7725 West North Avenue, on the first Wednesday of the month. A design review will be conducted at a regular meeting if the complete permit application is received at least two weeks before the meeting date. Other design review dates can be set upon special request through the Development Department. You or a representative must appear before the commission in order to answer any questions or concerns that may arise. Information about design review requirements and how to apply are on the Design Review Board webpage.

The Commission’s review of your project will be done in keeping with the standards and recommendations of the City of Wauwatosa Historical Guidelines Manual and the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Preservation. You are strongly encouraged to discuss the proposed application with the Development Department prior to submission in the interest of having adequate information for the request.

The Historic Preservation Commission received four Certified Local Government subgrants from the Wisconsin Historical Society to identify historic properties in Wauwatosa. As of 2021, the entire City was surveyed.

The non-residential City-wide intensive survey, completed in 2017, evaluated properties for National Register of Historic Places eligibility.

Completed in 2018, phase one of the residential intensive survey evaluated properties within the general boundaries of north of Milwaukee Avenue, east of the Menomonee River and south and west of the City boundaries for National Register of Historic Places eligibility.

Phase two of the residential intensive survey evaluated properties within the general boundaries of south of the Menomonee River and Underwood Creek, east of Mayfair Road, and north and west of the City boundaries for National Register of Historic Places eligibility. The survey was completed in 2020.

Phase 3 of the residential intensive survey was completed in 2021 and evaluated properties for National Register of Historic Places eligibility within the general boundaries of west of the Menomonee River, Underwood Creek, Mayfair Road, and 92nd Street, and south, north, and east of the municipal boundaries.

Funding for the surveys were provided entirely by a Certified Local Government Subgrant from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior and administered by the Wisconsin Historical Society.

The Wauwatosa Historical Guidelines Manual is a user’s guide specifically written for historically significant properties in Wauwatosa. Owners of historic properties, or properties located within a historic district, are encouraged to follow these guidelines when undertaking alterations to their property. This manual is available to purchase for $15 or can be downloaded below.

• Part 1 – Introduction and Commercial
• Part 2 – Residential
• Part 3 – Appendix, including tax credit and designation information

This booklet contains historic and architectural information related to Arts & Crafts structures, bungalows, and mail-order homes including self guided walking tours of five neighborhoods. The booklet is available to purchase for $2.50. A Walking Wauwatosa poster (24” by 36”) is also available.

During the city’s early development the Wauwatosa Cemetery served as the primary burying ground for some of the city’s most prominent residents, including veterans from the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War. Located on the cemetery grounds, the First Baptist Church is recommended for the National Register of Historic Places for its significance as a cemetery chapel. The survey is available for $10. A Wauwatosa Cemetery walking tour brochure is also available.