Why the South-Side Neighborhoods

Architecturally significant homes from the 1860s through the 1940s are found throughout the South-Side neighborhood. The neighborhood lies within a 24 blocks south of the Fox River. It's a wonderfully diverse neighborhood, that changes from block to block, and is filled with character and inspirational designs. These Oshkosh homes are indicative of the quality of homes in store as your fingers walk through our on-line neighborhood.

Each street is different yet the same. You know your neighbors, but you work on the line and they own a store. At the block party you learn the family three doors down has a daughter in your class. On that first warm spring morning you see half the neighborhood is stretching their legs with a jog along the many tree lined streets. This is life on the South-Side. Neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend.

History

The tree-lined streets of Oshkosh today rose from the boom of the lumber milling industry which saw the growth of Oshkosh's population explode to 25,000 by 1880. The first settlements of the South-side reflected the post-Civil war boom in our manufacturing as many of our mills were desperate for workers and recruited from Great Britain and Eastern Europe.

A visitor to the South-Side Neighborhood is left with the impression of a small town neighborhood which has been and continues to be well maintained by its residents. When walking through the neighborhood you have a sense belonging to the area. There is the impression that homeowners in the neighborhood take a special pride in their homes. The Neighborhood is also characterized by many rehabilitations and restorations of the older homes.

Through out the neighborhood, many architectural styles stand out. Here are a few fun examples:

Greek Revival -
The most prevalent form of Greek Revival buildings in Oshkosh is the two story rectangular mass with gable end perpendicular to the street. The house located at 1623 Delaware Street (OS 1/23) is one of the best early examples of this type. Broad corner pilasters frame the house and visually support the entablature. The central doorway repeats this classical motif of pilasters and entablature. An equally fine example is located at 210 Eleventh Ave (OS 3/2). In this instance, the entablature continues across the facade, forming a pediment.

Italianate -
Italianate designs in Oshkosh are of two types: the compact, symmetrical form and a more picturesque asymmetrically massed form. Regardless of the basic outline, proportions tend to emphasize verticality and mass. Carved brackets and well articulated fenestration are common to both types.

Brick work on corner pilasters and window arches on a former residence at 1113 Oregon (OS 3/2) is noteworthy.

Commercial - A small scale example of the Italianate survives (barely) at 713 Minnesota Street (OS 4/3). Masonry - A series of fires in the 1870's resulted in ordinances requiring fire proof construction in the Main Street commercial area. William Waters and his assistant James Jensen provided designs for many of the Italianate commercial blocks constructed after 1875. These designs were distinguished by articulated window heads (either brick segmented arches or pressed metal hood moldings) and cornice work often with pediments. Stores were designed as single bays or in some cases as double stores with central stair. In either case the average height was two stories. The Ernst Block (OS 11/20) is the best remaining example of Waters double storefront.

Shingle Style -
The Shingle Style appeared to a limited degree in the city. 627 Florida.

Colonial Revival -
Classical influence was apparent in the ornamentation of late Queen Anne designs. Generally this ornament included window , treatment, columns, and swag motifs. Beginning in the late 1890's, this trend expanded to include the classicizing of form and the emergence of the Colonial Revival style.

During the period from c. 1895 to 1910, designs became more contained and formal with ornament concentrated on the front facade. Smooth planes with little variation in depth predominated while bay windows and oriels were carefully integrated into the design.

Oshkosh has an impressive number of designs illustrating the Colonial Revival influence. These can be grouped according to scale and general composition. Although many of these designs are located in proposed historic districts, the possibility of creating a thematic grouping exists. See Chapter VI. Following is a list of residences designed in this manner, with evaluations of eligibility included.

Colonial Revival - large scale, two story building with attic under hipped roof; well developed, full porch is major focal point.

1898-1908 general dates.
1757 Doty Street
40 W. Eleventh Ave.
217 W. Eleventh Ave.
326 W. South Park Ave.

Colonial Revival style, similar scale but vertical element introduced in form of front gable.

Colonial Revival - a small scale (one story with attic) version combines classical details with interesting shingle work.
627 Florida Ave.
1423 Ontario Street

Walk Around

Before deciding on a home to purchase, walk around the neighborhoods, get a feel for the people and the area. The old saying, location, location, location is true to a point. The location could be fantastic, but does it fit you, your lifestyle, your dreams? You could buy the most fabulous home in town, is that all that matters? Once you move to the South-Side it is hard to ever see yourself living anywhere else.

Links

On the left hand side of the page are lists with links where possible to learn more about the opportunities the South-Side has to offer to fulfill your home buying dreams.

Credits

Research and some verbiage from the Oshkosh Landmark Commission

Before deciding on a home to purchase, walk around the neighborhoods, get a feel for the people and the area. The old saying, location, location, location is true to a point. The location could be fantastic, but does it fit you, your lifestyle, your dreams? You could buy the most fabulous home in town, is that all that matters? Once you move to the South-Side it is hard to ever see yourself living anywhere else.

The City of Oshkosh Landmarks Commission has put together a list of historic homes throughout the South-Side. Take a walk and learn more about this great neighborhood.

Links

On the left hand side of the page are lists with links where possible to learn more about the opportunities the Sout-Side has to offer to fulfill your home buying dreams.