Before City Hall
By the late 1880s, Neenah had become a wealthy and progressive city. Mansions lined city streets and the city hosted many fine schools and commercial structures. However, the city needed a building in which it might conduct business. In August of 1888, the Oshkosh Weekly Northwestern reported the visit of Neenah's mayor and six aldermen to William Waters' office to view the proposed plans for the new city hall. Soon after that visit, a council meeting was held to decide whose plans to use: William Waters' or Appleton architect Charles Hove's. A vote was taken at 11:00 PM; the result was a tie, so Mayor Arneman decided in favor of Mr. Waters' design.
By the late 1880s, Neenah had become a wealthy and progressive city. Mansions lined city streets and the city hosted many fine schools and commercial structures. However, the city needed a building in which it might conduct business. In August of 1888, the Oshkosh Weekly Northwestern reported the visit of Neenah's mayor and six aldermen to William Waters' office to view the proposed plans for the new city hall. Soon after that visit, a council meeting was held to decide whose plans to use: William Waters' or Appleton architect Charles Hove's. A vote was taken at 11:00 PM; the result was a tie, so Mayor Arneman decided in favor of Mr. Waters' design.
Inside City Hall
By late October in 1889, the building was finished; it was located on the corner of Doty Avenue and Cedar Street, which was later renamed Commercial Street. The hall housed city offices as well as the fire and police departments, which were located on the first floor. An equipment deck fulfilled the fire departments needs of fire apparatus; hose stalls, hay storage, and a hose drying tower. For the police department; an office and jail cells were provided.
The high foundation and opening arches were limestone, with the remainder of the building composed of a cream colored brick with bands of limestone accents. Attached to City Hall was the 110 foot tall tower, containing four clock dials and a large bell to toll the hour. Below the building were two boilers, which took care of the whole structure. Access to the upper floors was gained by way of the arches at the base of the tower which opened to a broad stairway leading to a landing and vestibule, accessing the city treasurers' and clerks' offices. On the floor above, the "Firemen's Room" was intended for meetings or parties. The total cost of the project, including the purchase of land, was $30,000.
Changes were made over the building's many years of service; the arched openings for the fire trucks were enlarged and other entrances were altered as well. Eventually, all but the clock tower was demolished; it was reinforced, windows bricked up, cleaned, and remains part of the charm of Neenah.
By late October in 1889, the building was finished; it was located on the corner of Doty Avenue and Cedar Street, which was later renamed Commercial Street. The hall housed city offices as well as the fire and police departments, which were located on the first floor. An equipment deck fulfilled the fire departments needs of fire apparatus; hose stalls, hay storage, and a hose drying tower. For the police department; an office and jail cells were provided.
The high foundation and opening arches were limestone, with the remainder of the building composed of a cream colored brick with bands of limestone accents. Attached to City Hall was the 110 foot tall tower, containing four clock dials and a large bell to toll the hour. Below the building were two boilers, which took care of the whole structure. Access to the upper floors was gained by way of the arches at the base of the tower which opened to a broad stairway leading to a landing and vestibule, accessing the city treasurers' and clerks' offices. On the floor above, the "Firemen's Room" was intended for meetings or parties. The total cost of the project, including the purchase of land, was $30,000.
Changes were made over the building's many years of service; the arched openings for the fire trucks were enlarged and other entrances were altered as well. Eventually, all but the clock tower was demolished; it was reinforced, windows bricked up, cleaned, and remains part of the charm of Neenah.
William Waters
William Waters and Neenah's Third Ward
The architect that designed City Hall delivered a beautiful Queen Anne Style edifice: Neenah's Third Ward School. With Tudor style details, Neenah's Third Ward School was located on Doty Island, on Forest Avenue between First and Second Street.
By 1923, the building had become inadequate despite a large addition erected around 1900. The building was razed and replaced by Roosevelt School. The original school was a light colored brick with limestone trim. The school contained three class rooms and adjoining clock rooms on both floors. Almost castle-like in appearance, with a playful fenestration, a lofty 76' high tower, an arched entry portico, and a hip roof with an "eyebrow window", the school was built for $15,350. In its many years of service, there was at least one addition placed on the school before it was demolished and replaced.
The architect that designed City Hall delivered a beautiful Queen Anne Style edifice: Neenah's Third Ward School. With Tudor style details, Neenah's Third Ward School was located on Doty Island, on Forest Avenue between First and Second Street.
By 1923, the building had become inadequate despite a large addition erected around 1900. The building was razed and replaced by Roosevelt School. The original school was a light colored brick with limestone trim. The school contained three class rooms and adjoining clock rooms on both floors. Almost castle-like in appearance, with a playful fenestration, a lofty 76' high tower, an arched entry portico, and a hip roof with an "eyebrow window", the school was built for $15,350. In its many years of service, there was at least one addition placed on the school before it was demolished and replaced.
William Waters and Neenah High School:
Among Waters' architectural achievements was the 1879 First Ward School, which would later become known as Neenah High School and Washington School. The building served grades one through eight as well as the high school. At that time, styles were in transition from Italianate to Queen Anne, and the school showed influences of both. The building was built of stone from a local quarry and bricks from a Neenah brick yard for a cost of $15,600. With a heating system and school furnishing, the price tag came to $25,000.
Among Waters' architectural achievements was the 1879 First Ward School, which would later become known as Neenah High School and Washington School. The building served grades one through eight as well as the high school. At that time, styles were in transition from Italianate to Queen Anne, and the school showed influences of both. The building was built of stone from a local quarry and bricks from a Neenah brick yard for a cost of $15,600. With a heating system and school furnishing, the price tag came to $25,000.
William Waters and Residential Buildings:
Waters' residential work was extensive and can be seen in homes on Doty Island's Forest Avenue, East Wisconsin Avenue, and the west side of Neenah.
Waters' residential work was extensive and can be seen in homes on Doty Island's Forest Avenue, East Wisconsin Avenue, and the west side of Neenah.