Mystery Building—Bay View Red Cat Academy

On the southeast corner of Russell Avenue and Lenox Street sits a neoclassical building with an odd, an architecturally dissonant addition to its west and north faces.

After the city of Milwaukee had allotted $30,000 in bonds for the construction of libraries, the Llewellyn Public Library, 907 E. Russell Ave., was built in 1914. It was designed by architect Van Ryn and DeGelleke on a site donated by Silas J. and John T. Llewellyn. The building was remodeled and received a new addition in 1959. In 1993, the Llewellyn Library closed its doors, replaced by the Bay View Library at 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

Bay View High School started leasing the space from the city in 1995 for its Red Cat Academy. The academy used to hold classes for freshman and sophomore students in both the construction and Junior ROTC programs, but due to budget constraints, the academy was closed for the 2007-08 school year.

Currently, the Red Cat Academy houses a program teaching life and job skills to overage students, ages 18-21, after they graduate. Students can also earn credits for doing volunteer work. 

Future programs are being considered for the academy, according to Robin Kitzrow, Bay View High School principal.

Update: Since last month’s Mystery Building, 2668 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., was featured, the Compass learned that the building was once a grocery store owned by Frank D. Abraham. That’s according to the 1922 city directory. Thanks to Anna Passante for bringing this to our attention. Passante suggests it was likely a grocery store when it was built in 1890. Also, in late August of this year, the building owner began painting the white façade of the “This Is Downtown Bay View” building to match the adjacent dark red façade of Price Right Gifts.

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