Greenbush in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Longfellow School

Law, Law and Potter, Architects

— 1918, 1924 and 1938 —

Longfellow School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 22, 2011

1. Longfellow School Marker

Inscription. The Longfellow School served the ethnically diverse Greenbush neighborhood as a community anchor between 1918 and 1980. Designed by the prominent Madison firm of Law, Law and Potter, the school is an excellent example of the Elizabethan Revival, a brick subtype of the Tudor Revival style. The school is also significant as an embodiment of Progressive educational ideals, including a curriculum of manual training and the improvement of health and nutrition. The school design incorporated new features such as a gymnasium, lunchroom, nurse's office, an auditorium and library.

Designated July 26, 1993

Erected 2011 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 102.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 26, 1911.

Location. 43° 3.909′ N, 89° 24.158′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Greenbush. Marker is at the intersection of Mound Street and South Brooks Street, on the right when traveling east on Mound Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 South Brooks Street, Eau Claire WI 54703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. Bowen House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Greenbush (about 800 feet away); Italian Workmen's Club (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Greenbush (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edward Klief Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Spirit of Greenbush (approx. ¼ mile away); Schmidt's Auto, Inc. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bear (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Longfellow School. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "Longfellow School presents a unified appearance despite its being designed and built in three phases. It was built in the formal brick subtype of the Tudor Revival, sometimes called the Elizabethan Revival. The elementary school served the ethnically diverse Greenbush neighborhood for many years. In the early 1960s the national urban renewal program, adopted in many U.S. cities, dislocated a large section of the neighborhood and enrollment declined. The school closed in 1980."

Additional keywords. Architecture

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 22, 2011

2. Longfellow School Marker

The marker is on the north side of the building, on the lower left corner of that side.

Longfellow School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 22, 2011

3. Longfellow School

This is the view of the southeast corner of the building.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 22, 2011

4. Longfellow School

This is a closeup view of the main, middle portion of the building.

Longfellow School Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 22, 2011

5. Longfellow School Detail

This is a view of the carved stone on the top of the main, middle portion of the building, showing one of several "Longfellow" nameplates and a carving of the lamp of learning. Note also the carved heads at the bottoms of the pillars.

Photographed By William J. Toman, November 22, 2011

6. Longfellow School Detail

This is a closeup of one of the carved stone heads on the main, middle portion of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 907 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 22, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.