detailed look at e. townsend mix’s second empire style mitchell building (1876)

the second empire style mitchell building (1876) is a five-story commercial building designed by architect e. townsend mix for alexander mitchell, a milwaukee-based businessman who was president of the wisconsin marine and fire insurance company bank, the chicago, milwaukee & st. paul railroad, and the northwestern national insurance company. he had also served two terms in the u.s. house of representatives, representing wisconsin's 4th district. around that year he commissioned this new office building to house his bank and insurance companies. it replaced mitchell's previous marine bank building and is believed to sit on the site of the home of solomon juneau, who founded milwaukee in the 1830s.

mitchell hired notable milwaukee architect e. townsend mix to design his new building, with its heavily ornamented façade comprised of gray minnesota granite and limestone and elaborate mansard roof with centrally located clocktower. masonry contractor john roberts executed mix's design.

on completion in 1878, mitchell's bank and insurance company took residence in the building. the bank remained until 1930. in 1879 the mackie building was begun just next door, also built by mitchell, designed by e. townsend mix.

exterior façade images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive. all rights reserved. 2021.