
Iron Block Building, Milwaukee
The Iron Block Building is a unique, cast iron building located close to the banks of the Milwaukee River at Water Street and Wisconsin Avenue. The building was completed in 1860 using a design by architect George H. Johnson.
The panels of the iron building were cast in New York and shipped to Milwaukee to create a four story structure that would be fire resistant and long-lasting. It was constructed in Italianate style, unlike many of the German-influences found in most of the city's architecture at the time.
The Iron Block Building was originally constructed as a commercial property with the plan to fill the structure with businesses of all types. The top floor of the building was occupied by the Excelsior Lodge of Masons, which is why its first name was the Excelsior Block.
The building fell into disrepair and was deemed to be a public safety threat as portions of the facade had a habit of falling into the street. In 2012, the building was purchased by the Dental Associates who embarked on the task of restoring the Iron Block Building to the structure visitors can see today. It is now a completely renovated building and the home of Dental Associates Family and Specialty Care.
The panels of the iron building were cast in New York and shipped to Milwaukee to create a four story structure that would be fire resistant and long-lasting. It was constructed in Italianate style, unlike many of the German-influences found in most of the city's architecture at the time.
The Iron Block Building was originally constructed as a commercial property with the plan to fill the structure with businesses of all types. The top floor of the building was occupied by the Excelsior Lodge of Masons, which is why its first name was the Excelsior Block.
The building fell into disrepair and was deemed to be a public safety threat as portions of the facade had a habit of falling into the street. In 2012, the building was purchased by the Dental Associates who embarked on the task of restoring the Iron Block Building to the structure visitors can see today. It is now a completely renovated building and the home of Dental Associates Family and Specialty Care.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Milwaukee. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Iron Block Building on Map
Sight Name: Iron Block Building
Sight Location: Milwaukee, USA (See walking tours in Milwaukee)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Milwaukee, USA (See walking tours in Milwaukee)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Create Your Own Walk in Milwaukee
Creating your own self-guided walk in Milwaukee is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Walking Tour
Milwaukee boasts a number of beautiful historic churches, many of them are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city's religious make-up is diverse, from Catholic to Jesuit, and there are a number of Catholic churches and cathedrals. Take this self guided walking tour to admire the religious masterpieces of Milwaukee.
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Historical Buildings Tour
Milwaukee has no shortage of buildings of striking beauty and impressive variety of styles. Amid the abundance of the German-styled architecture, stemming from the city's root in German immigration, visitors to the city can also find buildings of French and Italian influence. Take this self-guided walk to explore the most notable historical edifices in downtown Milwaukee.
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Milwaukee Introduction Walking Tour
Milwaukee was an area that was inhabited by a large number of indigenous people. The earliest recorded inhabitants were the Menominee, Fox, Sauk, Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Mascouten. European settlers arrived in the early 19th century. Among those was Solomon Juneau, who is known now as the Founding Father of Milwaukee.
The city grew in size in the 1840s and 1850s. It largely attracted German... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
The city grew in size in the 1840s and 1850s. It largely attracted German... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Monuments and Statues Walking Tour
Milwaukee is home to a multitude of statues and monuments of different purposes, from those honoring historic figures to entertaining ones to memorials commemorating war and its heroes and victims. There are also very unusual statues, like that to a duck and its ducklings, for instance. This self-guided walking tour allows you to explore Milwaukee's monuments and statues in their variety.
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles