February 1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

JAMES MADISON SCHOOL • 804 NORTH LAFAYETTE BOULEVARD HISTORICAL CONTEXT This site was first platted in 1845 as a portion of the 3rd Bank Outlot laying just outside of the original plat of the City of South Bend. This and the immediately surrounding properties were eventually'replatted between 1870 and 1872. The property on which the Madison School is located was platted in 1871. The tract lying to the north of this property was donated to the City in 1902 by Elish Peck, to become the what is now the central section of Leeper Park. The first James Madison School was constructed at the northwest corner of Lafayette Boulevard and Madison Street in 1862. This building was replaced in 1893 by a much larger building on the same site, designed in the Romanesque style. This building remained until its demolition in 1958. However it ceased use as a school when the building under consideration was constructed in 1930. This third James Madison School was designed in the Collegiate Gothic style by the prominent South Bend architectural firm of Austin & Shambleau and constructed by H.G. Christaman & Company. It was constructed starting 'in 1929 and opened in 1930. An addition to the rear along North Main Street was constructed in 1968. The school was listed on the National Register' of Historic Places in 1982 as a contributing structure to the Chapin Park Historic District. • ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION The Madison School is a two-story brick structure designed in the Collegiate Gothic Style common for schools and Universities during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It is characterized by red brick laid in running bond accentuated by details of limestone including water table stringcourse, door and window surrounds, parapet caps, and ornamental relief. The walls are punctuated with pilasters at intervals which mark changes in parapet height which give emphasis to the elevations unrelated to functions. The windows are wood double hung type. Some locations include leaded glass divisions in square and diamond I patterns. Typical classroom windows are arranged in groups of six with 4 over six panes in each. An oriel window graces the main academic area. RECOMMENDATION Based on the Historic Preservation Commission,s Local Landmarks Criteria as adopted by the Common Council, the building at 804 Lafayette Boulevard has been recommended to the historic Preservation Commission for designation as a Local Historic Landmark by its Landmarks Committee. The building meets the criteria in -at least four areas: •