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Title |
View of the west east facade of the John Plankinton Mansion as it was being torn down, 1975 |
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Description |
View of the west east facade of the John Plankinton Mansion as it was being torn down, May 9, 1975. While a crane looms in the background, a student studies on the lawn next to the building. |
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Date of Photograph |
1975-05-09 |
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Photographer/Artist |
Marquette University Photography |
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Building Name |
John Plankinton Mansion, Marquette University
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Previous Names |
College of Music
College of Speech
School of Speech
James Rogers Home
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Architect/Builder |
Nash, Albert C. |
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Construction Date(s) |
1856 |
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Purchase Date |
1918 |
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Destruction Date |
1975 |
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Style/Period |
Italianate |
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Other Building Information |
The John Plankinton mansion was originally built by James Rogers in 1856. Upon his death, John Plankinton acquired the home in 1863, did extensive remodeling and brought the value of the home up to $200,000. The mansion was known as “the most expensive and elegant private residence in Milwaukee if not the entire Northwest”. John Plankinton made his fortune in the meatpacking business and was also involved with many philanthropic organizations in the Milwaukee community. He had two children, William and Elizabeth, whom he also built homes for. Mr. Plankinton lived in the home from 1865 until his death in 1891. William’s mansion was right next door and Elizabeth’s was across Wisconsin Avenue. The John Plankinton home, along with William’s and seven acres of land, were all sold to Marquette University in 1918 on the condition that they should be destroyed by 1920. However, the university found a loophole in the contract and was able to keep and utilize both mansions. John Plankinton’s mansion became first, Marquette University’s College of Music and in later years, the College of Speech. The mansion included many spectacular features such as bamboo trimmed paneling and other elaborate woodwork, a mahogany elevator, stained glass windows, marble floors, gold plated doorknobs and tremendous crystal chandeliers. These features at one time made the mansion the grandest residence in Milwaukee. The outdoors featured a seven acre landscaped park and a fountain guarded by lions, in front of the home, where Marquette University’s engineering building now stands. The John Plankinton mansion was demolished by Marquette University, in 1975, to make way for the school’s campus expansion plan. |
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Named For |
John Plankinton |
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Subjects |
Academic buildings
Architecture -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee
College buildings -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee
College campuses -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee
Historic buildings --Wisconsin -- Milwaukee
Marquette University -- Buildings
Universities and colleges -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee
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Collection |
Plankinton Mansion General Information File (A-4.5, Series 10, File Number 01116) |
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Physical Description |
20 x 25.4 cm (8 x 10 in.) black-and-white photographic print |
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Identifier |
MUA_CB_02199 |
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Digital Reproduction Information |
Scanned as grayscale in reflective mode with Epson Expression 10000XL at 300 DPI. Display image is jpeg generated from archival TIFF file. |
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Copyright |
This image is issued by Marquette University. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives. It may not be sold, or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please credit: Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Marquette University Libraries. |
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Ordering Information |
For information about obtaining reproductions of this and other images, please visit: http://www.marquette.edu/library/archives/OrderForm.shtml |
Building a Campus
