Title: Department of Building Inspection Premises Records
Inclusive Dates: 1888-1988

Creator:

• Milwaukee (Wis.). Department of Building Inspection.

Call Number: City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 40

Quantity:

• 164.3 cubic ft. (414 boxes)
• 22 volumes

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Premises Records from the Department of Building Inspection. Contains materials from the building inspector, such as building permits, for both new buildings and remodeling, raze orders, code enforcement, and other materials on various properties in the City of Milwaukee.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-cmac0040

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Originally called the Department of Building and Elevator Inspection, this office was created by the Common Council in 1887. The inspector, appointed by the Mayor for a term of four years, was responsible for viewing, inspecting new and existing buildings, and as warranted, condemning buildings, which were unfit for habitation. Inspectors were also responsible for inspecting plumbing and electrical work, as well as boilers, elevators, building maintenance, sprinkler systems, and building demolition. The Department of Building Inspection was responsible for issuing permits for new construction and remodeling, as well as processing complaints against violators.

In 1999, the Department of Building Inspection was re-organized as the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS). In addition to its previous duties, the DNS also oversees the following programs: Abandoned Properties in Foreclosure Program; Code Compliance; Landlord Training; Property Recording Program; Anti-Graffiti; Residential Property Pending Foreclosure; Residential Rental Inspection Program; and Vacant Building Registration. By enforcing Building, Zoning, Fire, Environmental, Property Maintenance and other ordinances, the DNS protects the value of residential and commercial properties and supports the City's goal of providing a safe and economically strong Milwaukee.

1887-1891	Arthur Bate
1891-1895	Theodore Schuetz
1895-1899	C. P. Foote
1899-1904	Michael Dunn
1904-1911	Edward V. Koch
1911-1912	Carl F. Ringer
1912-1926	William D. Harper
1927-1954	Leon M. Gurda
1955-1963	Mathias S. Glisch
1974-1978	Alex P. LeGrand
1979-1999	Lee Jensen

1999	Lee Jensen
2000-2008	Martin Collins
2009-2015	Art Dahlberg
2016-2019	Preston D. Cole
2019-	Thomas Mishefske

The Premises Records were generated through the Department of Building Inspection and cover buildings built and razed roughly during the time period of 1888-1980. These are by no means the complete collection of City records. The contents of each file were solely determined by the individual inspector, based upon the type of building inspection needed. Some files contain a multitude of paperwork, dating back to the original application to build, through the process of razing one or more structures on the property, while some may contain very little. Inspectors used a variety of methods for documenting the premises records, including but not limited to: photographs, plats and surveys, or building blueprints. Some inspectors did not use any additional sources to complete their inspections.

There are many reasons for a property to have buildings razed: blight elimination, freeway expansion, extensive damage to the building such as from fire, or excessive code violations (failure to bring a property up to City codes). “Raze” orders were not always issued for the main dwelling on the premises, but sometimes only for the outbuildings (sheds, garages, small cottage at the rear of the property, etc.). It is important to remember when using these records that not all buildings in these documents were razed. Additional scope and content notes of each series are provided in the contents list below.

The collection is arranged into the following series:

1. Premises Records, 1888-1990
2. General Files, 1890-1988

The materials were originally processed as three separate collections: Code Enforcement, Walker’s Point, and Premises Records. These materials are now grouped together as Series 1 and are arranged by address in each of these areas. Series 2 contains General Files and is arranged alphabetically. Most of the annual reports have been bound together.

A detailed listing of all the premises records is provided in the address index.

City of Milwaukee Department of Building Inspection Premises Records, 1888-1988, Collections 40. City of Milwaukee Archival Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Some premises records included photographs and Polaroids taken by the Milwaukee Building Inspector’s Office in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. These images have been scanned and preserved on compact discs in Box 301. In some photographs, the deterioration was considerably advanced as of the time the photos were scanned. A binder containing black and white print outs of the scanned images may be consulted in the Humanities Department.

Archival Collections

• Bureau of Bridges and Buildings Records. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 71.

• Bureau of Engineers Records. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 7.

• Department of Public Works Records. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 3.

Publications and Other Items

Building Bulletin

Prosecution Manual for Department of Building Inspection and Safety Engineering

Strategic Plan

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view City of Milwaukee Archival Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Milwaukee Public Library receives official materials from city departments via the Milwaukee City Records Center, pursuant to state statutes and city ordinances governing the permanent retention of city records.

Processing Information

Several volunteers under the direction of Virginia Schwartz, Coordinator of Humanities, processed this group of records over an extended period, including by Robert Carter, 1997; Ann Wartinbee Reeve, 1999; Ann Fuhrman, 1998; Betty Andrews Storey, 1998. Description revised by Gayle M. Ecklund, Archives Technician, 2009. Series 2 processed by Gayle M. Ecklund, 2000 and 2009. Materials added by Bob Jaeger, 2017. In 2019, Bob Jaeger combined the previous Premises Records and Building Inspector collections with CMAC 40.

	Series: 1: Premises Records, 1888-1980 Scope and Content Note The general Premises Records (boxes 1-298) are comprised of building permits authorizing both new and remodeling construction, permits to install electrical and plumbing work, applications for occupancy, inspection reports, complaints and orders to comply, and orders of demolition of public and private buildings razed by the city. [Orders are not guarantees of actual work performed.] This series includes: records for buildings razed prior to 1967; records for buildings razed prior to 1979; records for taverns; and records for various types of structures which have been razed. Some structure types are hotels, churches, dance halls, theaters, and schools. The Code of Enforcement Records (boxes 302-325) may contain items such as a Notice of Referral, which states which area of the Inspector’s Office property owners should be referred. These areas are: Construction, Electrical, Plumbing, Building Maintenance, Conservation and Urban Development, and Hazardous Occupancy and Materials. Other documents in these files are Order to Correct Condition of Premises, Building Inspector’s Maintenance Inspection Form, Chronological Record of Enforcement, Form for Court Testimony, Alderman’s Service Request, and Order to Rehabilitate or Raze. Premises Records for buildings in the Walker’s Point area (boxes 326-415) cover the region from South 1st Street to South 16th Street and from West Pierce Street to Greenfield Avenue. Other Finding Aids Address Index
Box   1-298	Premises Records, 1888-1979
Box   302-325	Code of Enforcement, 1939-1980
Box   326-415	Walker's Point, 1888-1979
Box   301	Photographs, digitized, undated Physical Description: 2 CDs
	Series: 2: General Files, 1890-1988 Scope and Content Note The Advisory Housing Commission files contain materials collected by Leon M. Gurda, Inspector of Buildings, for the City of Milwaukee. Mr. Gurda, whose emphasis was on slum clearance, was a member of the Mayor’s Commission on Housing. The material consists of: minutes, correspondence, and reports of committees relating to the Mayor’s Housing Commission, including State of Wisconsin Bill #304, S. – “to create sections 199.01 – 199.30 of the statutes, relating to limited dividend housing corporations.” Also included are surveys and data on housing; the Demolition Conference, including correspondence, release of information, and an agenda regarding the conference held in Washington, D.C., March 23-24, 1934; materials for the “creation of a work relief project to survey Milwaukee and locate all unfit frame buildings in fire areas” (C.W.A.); and Milwaukee’s plan on condemnation of buildings for the demolition of unsafe and unsanitary housing, including a map of buildings razed by condemnation and by permit during 1930-1933. The Building Permits are a record of monies collected for building permits. Permit types include frame buildings, brick and stone, brick cased, additions and alterations, moving buildings, city charter and Board of Public Works. There are no address listings. The series also contains annual reports. The years 1925-1928 are missing. Early volumes include informational reports on building improvements, building code ratification process, and some photographs are included in the years 1910 and 1911. Additional brochures and publications are included as well.	⇧
Box   299 Folder   1	Advisory Housing Commission, minutes, correspondence, and reports, 1929-1933
Box   299 Folder   2	Advisory Housing Commission, plans, reports, maps, and publications, 1933-1936
	Annual Reports
Volume   1	1910-1912
Volume   2	1913
Volume   3	1914-1920
Volume   4	1921-1922
Volume   5	1923-1924
Box   299 Folder   3-8	1929-1934
Volume   6	1935
Volume   7	1937
Volume   8	1938-1939
Volume   9	1940
Volume   10	1941
Volume   11	1942
Volume   12	1943-1944
Volume   13	1945
Volume   14	1946-1948
Volume   15	1949-1950
Volume   16	1951-1953
Volume   17	1954-1957
Volume   18	1958-1961
Volume   19	1962-1965
Volume   20	1966-1970
Volume   21	1970-1974
Volume   22	1975-1981
Box   299 Folder   9	Blasting - A Legal Overview, undated
Box   299 Folder   10	Brochures and Ordinances, miscellaneous, 1908-1988, undated
Box   299 Folder   11	Building Permits, 1890-1892
Box   299 Folder   12	Equipment and Hazards Inspection, annual report, 1968
Box   299 Folder   13	Personnel Rosters, 1975, 1984
Box   299 Folder   14	Review of Building Activities, 1951

The collection includes more than 16,850 addresses from the following streets:

• S. 1st Place
• N. 1st Street
• S. 1st Street
• N. 2nd Lane
• N. 2nd Street
• S. 2nd Street
• N. 3rd Street
• S. 3rd Street
• N. 4th Street
• S. 4th Street
• S. 5th Place
• N. 5th Street
• S. 5th Street
• N. 6th Street
• S. 6th Street
• N. 7th Lane
• S. 7th Lane
• N. 7th Street
• S. 7th Street
• N. 8th Street
• N. 9th Lane
• S. 9th Place
• N. 9th Street
• S. 9th Street
• N. 10th Lane
• N. 10th Street
• S. 10th Street
• N. 11th Lane
• N. 11th Street
• S. 11th Street
• N. 12th Lane
• N. 12th Street
• S. 12th Street
• N. 13th Lane
• N. 13th Street
• S. 13th Street
• N. 14th Street
• S. 14th Street
• S. 14th Street
• S. 15th Place
• N. 15th Street
• S. 15th Street
• N. 16th Street
• S. 16th Street
• N. 17th Street
• S. 17th Street
• N. 18th Street
• N. 19th Place
• N. 19th Street
• S. 19th Street
• N. 20th Lane
• N. 20th Street
• S. 20th Street
• N. 21st Lane
• N. 21st Street
• S. 21st Street
• S. 22nd Place
• N. 22nd Street
• S. 22nd Street
• N. 23rd Street
• S. 23rd Street
• N. 24th Place
• N. 24th Street
• S. 24th Street
• N. 25th Street
• S. 25th Street
• N. 26th Street
• S. 26th Street
• N. 27th Street
• S. 27th Street
• S. 27th Street
• N. 28th Place
• N. 28th Street
• S. 28th Street
• N. 29th Street
• S. 29th Street
• N. 30th Street
• S. 30th Street
• N. 31st Street
• S. 31st Street
• N. 32nd Street
• S. 32nd Street
• N. 33rd Street
• N. 34th Street
• N. 35th Street
• N. 36th Street
• S. 36th Street
• N. 37th Street
• S. 37th Street
• N. 38th Street
• S. 38th Street
• N. 39th Street
• N. 40th Street
• N. 41st Street
• N. 42nd Street
• N. 43rd Street
• S. 43rd Street
• N. 47th Street
• N. 48th Street
• N. 50th Street
• N. 51st Boulevard
• N. 52nd Street
• N. 54th Street
• N. 55th Street
• S. 56th Street
• N. 58th Street
• N. 58th Street
• N. 59th Street
• N. 60th Street
• N. 68th Street
• N. 70th Street
• S. 71st Street
• S. 73rd Street
• S. 74th Street
• S. 75th Street
• N. 76th Street
• S. 76th Street
• N. 77th Street
• N. 78th Street
• S. 84th Street
• N. 91st Street
• N. 103rd Street
• N. 106th Street
• N. 107th Street
• N. 115th Street
• N. Achilles Street
• S. Adams Avenue
• S. Ahmedi Avenue
• S. Alabama Avenue
• W. Albany Place
• E. Albion Street
• S. Aldrich Street
• S. Aldrich Street
• S. Allis Street
• W. Appleton Avenue
• N. Arlington Place
• E. Armour Avenue
• W. Armour Avenue
• W. Arrow Street
• W. Arthur Avenue
• N. Astor Street
• W. Atkinson Avenue
• E. Auer Avenue
• W. Auer Avenue
• S. Austin Street
• E. Back Bay
• S. Barclay Street
• N. Bartlett Avenue
• E. Bay Street
• E. Becher Street
• E. Belleview Place
• W. Beloit Road
• W. Bluemound Road
• N. Booth Street
• E. Bradford Avenue
• W. Bradley Road
• E. Brady Street
• W. Branting Lane
• N. Bremen Street
• W. Brentwood Avenue
• N. Broadway
• N. Broadway Street
• W. Brooklyn Place
• W. Brown Deer Road
• E. Brown Street
• W. Brown Street
• E. Bruce Street
• W. Bruce Street
• S. Brust Avenue
• E. Buffalo Street
• N. Buffum Street
• E. Burleigh Street
• W. Burleigh Street
• W. Burnham Street
• S. Burrell Street
• S. California Street
• W. Calumet Road
• N. Cambridge Avenue
• W. Cameron Avenue
• W. Canal Street
• W. Capitol Drive
• W. Carmen Avenue
• W. Carter Place
• N. Cass Street
• E. Center Street
• W. Center Street
• E. Chambers Street
• W. Chambers Street
• S. Chase Avenue
• W. Cherry Street
• E. Chicago Street
• E. Clarke Street
• W. Clarke Street
• W. Cleveland Avenue
• E. Clybourn Street
• W. Clybourn Street
• N. Commerce Street
• S. Comstock Avenue
• W. Concordia Avenue
• E. Corcoran Street
• W. County Line Road
• N. Cramer Street
• W. Custer Avenue
• E. Detroit Street
• E. Detroit Street
• W. Dixon Street
• E. Dover Street
• N. Downer Avenue
• N. Edison Street
• N. Edison Street
• W. Elgin Lane
• E. Erie Street
• W. Fairmont Avenue
• W. Fairview Avenue
• N. Farwell Avenue
• E. Fernwood Avenue
• S. Ferry Street
• W. Fiebrantz Avenue
• E. Florida Street
• W. Florida Street
• W. Florist Avenue
• W. Fond du Lac Avenue
• W. Forest Home Avenue
• N. Franklin Place
• N. Fratney Street
• N. Frederick Avenue
• W. Galena Street
• W. Garden Street
• E. Garfield Avenue
• W. Garfield Avenue
• W. Goldcrest Avenue
• W. Good Hope Road
• N. Gordon Place
• W. Grange Avenue
• N. Grant Boulevard
• W. Grant Street
• W. Grantosa Drive
• N. Green Bay Avenue
• W. Green Tree Road
• E. Greenfield Avenue
• W. Greenfield Avenue
• E. Greenwich Avenue
• W. Greves Street
• W. Griffin Avenue
• W. Groeling Avenue
• N. Hackett Avenue
• E. Hadley Street
• W. Hadley Street
• N. Halyard Street
• E. Hamilton Street
• W. Hampton Avenue
• N. Hapkins Street
• W. Harrison Avenue
• N. Hawley Road
• S. Hawley Road
• E. Hayes Avenue
• W. Hayes Avenue
• W. Hazelton Court
• W. Henry Avenue
• W. Herbert Avenue
• S. Herman Street
• W. Hibernia Street
• W. Hickory Street
• E. Highland Avenue
• W. Highland Avenue
• W. Hinman Street
• E. Holt Avenue
• N. Holton Street
• E. Homer Street
• W. Hope Avenue
• N. Hopkins Street
• W. Hopkins Street
• E. Howard Avenue
• W. Howard Avenue
• S. Howell Avenue
• N. Hubbard Street
• N. Humboldt Avenue
• W. Irene Place
• E. Irving Place
• E. Ivanhoe Place
• N. Jackson Street
• N. Jefferson Street
• W. Jiran Place
• N. Julia Street
• E. Juneau Avenue
• W. Juneau Avenue
• E. Kane Place
• W. Kaul Avenue
• E. Keefe Avenue
• W. Keefe Avenue
• E. Kenilworth Avenue
• W. Kiehnau Avenue
• E. Kilbourn Avenue
• W. Kilbourn Avenue
• N. Killian Place
• W. Kimberly Avenue
• S. Kinnickinnic Avenue
• E. Knapp Street
• W. Kneeland Street
• E. Lafayette Place
• N. Lake Drive
• E. Land Place
• W. Lapham Boulevard
• E. Lapham Street
• W. Lapham Street
• E. Layton Avenue
• S. Layton Avenue
• W. Layton Avenue
• S. Layton Boulevard
• W. Leeds Place
• W. Legion Street
• S. Lenox Street
• W. Leon Terrace
• E. Lincoln Avenue
• W. Lincoln Avenue
• E. Linnwood Avenue
• E. Linus Street
• W. Linwal Lane
• W. Lisbon Avenue
• E. Lloyd Street
• W. Lloyd Street
• E. Locust Street
• W. Locust Street
• S. Logan Avenue
• N. Lovers Lane Road
• W. Lynx Avenue
• E. Lyon Street
• S. Mabbett Avenue
• E. Madison Street
• W. Madison Street
• W. Main Street
• N. Maitland Road
• W. Mallory Avenue
• W. Mangold Avenue
• W. Manitoba Street
• W. Maple Street
• W. Maplewood Court
• N. Market Street
• N. Marshall Street
• W. Martin Drive
• N. Maryland Avenue
• E. Mason Street
• W. McKinley Avenue
• W. McKinley Boulevard
• W. Medford Avenue
• E. Meinecke Avenue
• W. Meinecke Avenue
• E. Menomonee Street
• W. Messmer Street
• W. Metcalf Place
• W. Michigan
• W. Michigan Avenue
• E. Michigan Street
• W. Michigan Street
• W. Mill Road
• N. Milwaukee River Parkway
• N. Milwaukee Street
• E. Mineral Street
• W. Mineral Street
• W. Mitchell Street
• W. Monarch Place
• W. Monroe Street
• W. Montana Street
• E. Morgan Avenue
• W. Morgan Avenue
• S. Mound Street
• W. Mt. Vernon Avenue
• N. Murray Avenue
• N. Muskego Avenue
• S. Muskego Avenue
• E. Nash Street
• W. Nash Street
• E. National Avenue
• W. National Avenue
• N. Navajo Street
• W. Neenah Street
• S. Nevada Street
• E. Newberry Boulevard
• N. Newhall Street
• E. Newport Avenue
• W. Nome Place
• E. North Avenue
• W. North Avenue
• Northridge Mall Road
• W. Norwich Circle
• W. Norwich Street
• S. Oak Park Court
• W. Oak Street
• N. Oakland Avenue
• W. Odell Street
• E. Ogden Avenue
• E. Oklahoma Avenue
• W. Oklahoma Avenue
• E. Orchard Street
• W. Orchard Street
• W. Oregon Street
• E. Otjen Street
• N. Palmer Street
• W. Park Hill Avenue
• E. Park Place
• W. Parnell Avenue
• S. Pearl Street
• E. Pearson Street
• W. Peck Place
• N. Pemberton Avenue
• S. Pennsylvania Avenue
• W. Pettibone Place
• W. Philip Place
• N. Pierce Street
• W. Pierce Street
• S. Pine Avenue
• N. Pinecrest Street
• N. Pingree Avenue
• E. Pittsburgh Avenue
• W. Pittsburgh Avenue
• W. Plainfield Avenue
• N. Plankinton Avenue
• E. Pleasant Street
• E. Polk Street
• W. Port Avenue
• W. Port Avenue/Road
• N. Port Washington Ave./Road
• N. Port Washington Road
• W. Potomac Avenue
• E. Potter Avenue
• N. Prospect Avenue
• E. Providence Avenue
• E. Pryor Avenue
• N. Pulaski Street
• S. Quincy Avenue
• W. Ramsey Avenue
• N. Renee Street
• E. Reservoir Avenue
• W. Reservoir Avenue
• W. Reynolds Place
• N. Richards Street
• W. Richmond Avenue
• W. Ring Street
• E. Riverside Place
• S. Robinson Avenue
• W. Roder Street
• W. Rogers Street
• E. Rosedale Avenue
• E. Royal Place
• W. Ruby Avenue
• E. Rusk Avenue
• E. Russell Avenue
• N. Santa Monica Boulevard
• W. Sarasota Place
• W. Sarnow Place
• E. Saveland Avenue
• E. Schiller Street
• W. Schlinger Avenue
• E. Scott Street
• W. Scott Street
• W. Scranton Place
• E. Seeboth Street
• W. Seeboth Street
• N. Sercombe Road
• S. Shea Avenue
• N. Shepard Avenue
• W. Sheridan Avenue
• N. Sherman Boulevard
• N. Sholes Avenue
• S. Shore Drive
• W. Silver Spring Drive
• E. Singer Circle
• E. Smith Street
• W. Somers Street
• W. Spaulding Place
• W. Spencer Place
• S. St. Clair Street
• W. St. Paul Avenue
• N. Stanley Place
• W. Stark Street
• E. State Street
• W. Station Avenue
• W. Stevenson Street
• E. Stewart Street
• N. Stowell Avenue
• N. Summit Avenue
• S. Superior Street
• N. Terrace Avenue
• N. Teutonia Avenue
• W. Townsend Street
• W. Traser Street
• W. Uncas Avenue
• N. Van Buren Street
• W. Vera Avenue
• W. Vienna Avenue
• W. Villard Avenue
• E. Vine Street
• W. Vine Street
• W. Vine Street
• W. Vliet Street
• E. Vollmer Avenue
• N. Wahl Avenue
• N. Wahl Avenue
• E. Walker Street
• W. Walnut Street
• W. Walnut Street
• E. Walworth Street
• W. Wanda Avenue
• W. Warnimont Avenue
• N. Warren Avenue
• E. Washington Street
• W. Washington Street
• N. Water Street
• S. Water Street
• N. Weil Street
• E. Wells Street
• W. Wells Street
• W. Whitaker Avenue
• S. Whitnall Avenue
• S. Whitnall Avenue
• S. Whitnall Avenue
• E. Wilbur Avenue
• E. Wilson Street
• S. Winchester Street
• W. Windlake Avenue
• E. Windsor Place
• W. Winfield Avenue
• W. Winnebago Street
• W. Winnebago Street
• E. Wisconsin Avenue
• W. Wisconsin Avenue
• E. Woodstock Place
• S. Woodward Street
• E. Wright Street
• W. Wright Street
• E. Wyoming Place