Catholic Memorial's Plan To Raze Historic Home Draws Criticism

WAUKESHA, WI - Catholic Memorial High School's plan to tear down the historic Casper Sanger home has upset some local preservationists.

Mary Emery, president of the Waukesha Preservation Alliance, said in an interview that the organization was surprised by Catholic Memorial's plans to raze the building. She said the organization did not learn of the plan until Monday when the school applied for a demolition permit.

Lori Holly, the school's director of advancement, said in an interview with Patch that the area will be used for green space. She said the building is unsafe and has structural damage, mold and asbestos.

She said the building has been vacant for years and has only recently been used by students as a haunted house to raise money. Salvageable parts from the home are being donated to the Blair House project and to Habitat for Humanity.

The home is located on the southeast corner of College Avenue and Barstow Street.

The Preservation Alliance said on its Facebook page that "because of the quality of the workmanship and the style of the building this is one of the most important historic buildings in the city."

The Waukesha Preservation Alliance issued this statement:

"We are saddened to report that Waukesha will be losing one of its most important historic structures. Catholic Memorial High School has applied for a demolition permit for the Casper Sanger/Dr. Byron Caples residence at 507 E. College Avenue which is on the National Register of Historic Places as an individual property.

"Only the best buildings qualify for listing as individual properties on the National Register. Unfortunately, the building was not designated as a local landmark. National Register listing does not protect a building, it is local landmark designation which protects our historic buildings. We are disappointed that Catholic Memorial administration and its board did not reach out to preservationists and the City of Waukesha Landmarks Commission for assistance in achieving its goals while preserving the structure."

The organization said the home was built in 1886 by Casper Sanger as part of his stock farm which encompassed the entire area south of College Avenue.

According to the Preservation Alliance, Casper Sanger was an alderman in Milwaukee, served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, and was the first Republican to serve as sheriff of Milwaukee County. He built a fortune in the tanning, millwork, and silver mine industries. In 1890, he was a millionaire. The alliance said he lost everything in the silver market crash in 1893. The property then was sold to Dr. Byron Caples who put a sanitarium there, the Preservation Alliance said on its Facebook page.

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Image via Waukesha Preservation Alliance