Milwaukee-Downer "Quad"

Milwaukee-Downer College was formed in 1895, a merger of Milwaukee Female College and Downer College of Fox Lake - both early colleges for young women.^[3] With the merger, the new college began constructing buildings at a new site, which is now the Downer Quad.^[2][4]

Merrill Hall and Holton Halls were built from 1897 to 1899 - designed by Alexander Eschweiler. Merrill is Tudor Revival-ish in style, with walls of red sandstone and red brick, with a large square central tower with octagonal corner columns and parapeted gable fronts. It has a round observatory tower and a college chapel. Holton is styled similarly, with a gymnasium. When these buildings were complete in 1899, operations moved from their former locations.^[2]

Johnston and Greene Halls were added in the next seven years. Johnston is similar in style to the others, a bookend opposite Holton - decorated with a string course with carved human heads and grotesques. Greene Hall is a smaller chapel-like building behind Johnston.^[2]

In 1964, Milwaukee-Downer College was consolidated with Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee purchased the site and it became part of the university's campus.^[2]