Henry C. Koch

Henry C. Koch (March 20, 1841 – May 19, 1910) was a German-American architect based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee City Hall takes inspiration from the Hamburg Rathaus

Biography

Born in Hanover in the Kingdom of Hanover,[1] Koch immigrated as a toddler with his family to the United States.[2] His architectural career began at the age of 16 when he worked for early Milwaukee architect, G. W. Mygatt. He enlisted in the Civil War with the 24th Wisconsin Infantry as a private,[2] later becoming a draftsman on General Philip Sheridan's staff. After the war Koch returned to Milwaukee, where he formed a partnership with Mygatt until 1870, when he started his own firm.

He married and had two sons, Harry and Armand D. Koch. The latter also became an architect, joining his father's firm in the 1890s and helping with the design of the Milwaukee City Hall.

Style

Koch worked in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, inspired by medieval architecture and popularized by Henry Hobson Richardson. The style is characterized by semicircular arches, symmetry, round towers with pointed caps, copious use of stone, and generally simple facades.[3]

Works

Koch's most recognizable work was the 1895 Milwaukee City Hall. Reflecting his own (and Milwaukee's) German Heritage, Koch took his design inspiration for City Hall from German buildings such as the Hamburg Rathaus, as well as nearby Pabst Building (which was razed in 1980).[4] When completed it was one of the tallest buildings in the United States, and it remains Milwaukee's most recognizable landmark.[3]

Turner Hall (1882-83)

Turner Hall (1882-83), 1034 N. 4th St., an "iconic" example of Koch's work, resembles a school as it was built during a period when Koch was designing many Milwaukee schools.[3]

The Pfister Hotel (1893), 424 E. Wisconsin Ave, utilizes Wauwatosa Limestone[3]

Koch designed buildings for the University of Wisconsin. He designed 26 courthouses and more than 120 schools.[1]

Other works
Calvary Presbyterian Church

References
  1. Dawn Maddox (July 20, 1976). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Stutsman County Courthouse and Sheriff's Residence/Jail". National Park Service. and accompanying photos
  2. http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/wisconsin-historical-society-buys-henry-kochs-battle-maps-o59b9rh-200675041.html
  3. Tanzilo, Bobby (18 August 2012). "10 great romanesque buildings in Milwaukee". OnMilwaukee. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  4. "Milwaukee City Hall". Copper Development Association. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
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