East Newberry Boulevard
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Characteristics, Features, and Map
The 12-block-long East Newberry Boulevard is between Lake Park on Lake
Michigan to the east and Riverside Park on the Milwaukee River to the west.
With its broad tree canopy and wide, planted median, the boulevard does more than
connect Lake and Riverside parks — it extends them. Here, in the shade of centuryold elms and maples, residents stroll or sit, taking in the scenery or reading.
Stately and serene, East Newberry Boulevard embraced those on foot and horseback
as well as in cars. Today, spring through fall brings informal games of soccer or
football; in winter, snow forts and castles dot the median.
Character of Olmsted-Designed Parks Extended to Boulevard
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Early history of area characterized by lack of planning; four subdivisions, each
with a different vision, were platted between 1888 and 1894
Influenced by the City Beautiful movement, foresighted city parks commission
condemned land to expand “Newbury Street” from 66 feet to 150 feet in width;
Newberry renamed a boulevard in November 1897, second street in city to be
so designated (first such designation was Highland Boulevard in 1895)
Although not designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., who was commissioned by
the city to plan Lake and Riverside Parks, Newberry Boulevard follows his
English garden suburb philosophy and design principles that residential areas
have ample lots so homes can serve as a restful retreat separated from more
densely developed sections of cities
 Plan for East Newberry Boulevard included 54-foot wide grassy median
separating two 28-foot-wide lanes for east- and west-bound traffic; bridle path
extended down the median's center; 20-foot-wide sidewalks, eventually reduced
to six feet width, were built along each right-of-way
 Landscaping was designed to complement the two Olmsted parks and transform
the boulevard into linear park; uniform planting every 25 feet of large deciduous
shade trees (some which are now 60 feet tall) is critical element to boulevard's
park-like character
 Following release of plan, developer of initial subdivision re-platted lots to front
on East Newberry Boulevard instead of north-south streets; sole exception to
this design is on boulevard's south side between North Oakland and North
Cramer streets
 A formal entrance to Lake Park at East Newberry Boulevard was planted in 1896
Natural Beauty Accentuated
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Residents' understanding and appreciation of boulevard's unique role result in
beautifully landscaped and carefully maintained properties more than 100 years
later
 Large maples and elms form canopy that covers the entire 12 blocks; shade on
both median and sidewalks as trees were planted curbside and along outer edge
of median
 Olmsted-designed Lake and Riverside parks at respective east and west ends of
boulevard serve as counterpoints to urban life; parks designed for
contemplation, enjoyment and interaction of people from all socio-economic
classes
 Boulevard reforestation program replaces diseased or damaged American elm
trees to maintain tree canopy; plan adheres to spirit and intent of original
landscape design
Architectural Diversity
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East Newberry Boulevard home to 101 residential structures, most of which are
larger and more embellished than those on adjacent streets. Residences form
veritable catalog of styles popular among Milwaukee's middle and upper classes
including Prairie School, Arts and Crafts, Bungalow, Mediterranean, Colonial
Revival, Tudor Revival
Developers and architects followed tenets of Frederick Law Olmsted, building
large homes on ample lots with garden setbacks
Work of many of city's leading architects -- including Alexander C. Eschweiler
and the team of George Bowman Ferry and Alfred Charles Clas – grace
boulevard; designs relied on high-quality exterior cladding materials, such as
brick, stucco and limestone, which help shape boulevard's character
Size and design of residential structures vary based on location; homes in
Prospect Hill subdivision were set on expansive lots — three per block — and
required to meet deed restrictions pertaining to such things as alcohol sales and
livestock boarding; construction costs had to exceed $5,000 or 10 times the
average annual wage $500 in 1893 (compared to $50,000 average income for
today, minimum would be about $500,000)
 A state historic district, East Newberry Boulevard added to the National Register
of Historic Places in 1994 because of its architecturally significant houses
Houses Used State-of-the-Art Building Methods
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Hollow terra cotta blocks, employed in commercial and industrial structures to
protect from fire, were used in several homes despite higher cost
Use of poured concrete for housing construction, a progressive technique in
early 1900s, was tested along East Newberry Boulevard
Albert F. Gallun house, an Elizabethan manor house built in 1914, represents
fusion of most advanced construction techniques for the time. Fourteen-inchthick stone exterior walls are backed by 4-inch hollow terra cotta tiles on the
interior. Floors are poured concrete and roof made of slate; emerged from
disastrous 1970s fire with structural integrity unscathed
Recognized for its exceptional concentration of architecturally distinguished homes
built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, East Newberry Boulevard is an
iconic example of the boulevard planning concepts espoused by Frederick Law
Olmsted and tied closely to the construction of two Olmsted-designed parks at the
east and west ends of the boulevard. The boulevard's majesty is enhanced by the
works of several notable architects and builders from the area at the time. These
well-crafted, unique houses were designed not just as showplaces but to withstand
the test of time.
http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/streets/2009/index.htm