$225,394Average Value$163Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Midwestern values in Appleton’s oldest community
From group clean-ups at Arbutus Park to walking tours and wine nights, Appleton’s Historic Central Neighborhood is more than its collection of vintage homes. Cycling groups pass Zion Lutheran Church's towering steeple on the sidewalks below. Many spend their evenings at the neighborhood book club or perusing the vintage shops and locally-owned eateries on College Avenue. As one of Appleton’s oldest neighborhoods, the community notably has a few fixer-uppers. The paved driveways might have tufts of grass between the cracks. But many are mere blocks from outreach initiatives and nonprofits like Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley. “From the older generations to the younger, this area is all about helping everyone thrive,” says Vanessa Cebulski, an Appleton local and Realtor with Century 21. “There’s a stark contrast between the level of support in this community compared to the rest of the U.S. Those are values that a Midwesterner really cares about.”
Historic Central is located just north of Downtown Appleton.
Residents in Historic Central are community-minded with free pantries.
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Wine nights, group rides and historic walking tours
Appleton’s Historic Central Neighborhood is brimming with the city’s oldest homes, largely constructed between the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. Most flaunt traditional architecture, while others include cottage-style features like steep-pitched roofs and rounded entryways. Annual walking tours give viewers a glimpse into the neighborhood’s bygone era, despite modern additions like detached garages with paved driveways. Wine nights, group walks and bike rides are hosted by the neighborhood association, along with Porchfest. The August celebration invites guests to leisurely stroll as local bands perform on the front porches and modest lawns of various homes. Priced between $100,000 and $330,000, these older properties often need some extra care before they’re move-in ready.
Older homes in Historic Central have been renovated and well maintained.
The Historic Central neighborhood embraces a neighborly vibe.
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Century-old landmarks in the Historic Central Neighborhood
The 140-year-old Zion Lutheran Church spans an entire block from Commercial to Winnebago Street. Its towering, Gothic-inspired steeple overlooks the whole of Appleton’s Historic Central Neighborhood. The campus is partly occupied by Appleton Bilingual School, but surrounding community members are eager to see how the rest of the building will be revamped in the coming years. Though no plans have been made just yet, some hope to see it transform into affordable housing. Similarly, St. Thérèse Catholic Parish was first established in 1923. Several additions have been constructed over the decades, some as recently as 2020. The campus is home to Saint Teresa School, as well as Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley, a nondenominational food assistance program. “Our community is well supported as far as basic needs, especially supporting the homeless and feeding people,” Cebulski says. “I’ve never seen another city that invests so heavily in all the nonprofits locally.”
Zion Lutheran Church is an important part of the Historic Central neighborhood.
Historic Central neighborhood is distinctive with steeple's filling the skyline.
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Wisconsin Avenue’s fresh bread and inclusive spaces
Simple Simon Bakery has been on Wisconsin Avenue since 1967, supplying donuts, bread and buns made from scratch each morning. The Free Market neighbors CVS to the west, while Rascals Bar & Grill sits to the east. Previously a neighborhood watering hole and prohibition-era soda shop, 702 E Wisconsin Avenue's wood-panel walls are now adorned with pride flags of every kind, while the original stained glass windows flaunt patterns of rainbow butterflies. The back patio even features an outdoor bar. College Avenue is the heart of Appleton, where locally-owned eateries abound. The owners of the Appleton Beer Factory refurbished the Schreiter Auto building in 2013, repurposing materials found onsite to craft the entire bar. Today, the rustic brewery is a hot spot for American fare. Blues music and colorful murals curate the ambiance at The Cozzy Corner, a soul food joint well-loved for BBQ plates and fried chicken. Between the two are a variety of boutiques and shops, selling everything from candies to records to vintage finds.
Historic Central residents enjoy the classic treats at Simple Simon Bakery.
Rascal's Bar & Grill is a popular hang out in the Historic Central neighbohood.
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A Mile of Music on College Avenue
The first week of August ushers in Appleton’s Mile of Music, spanning the length of College Avenue. Guests have free access to 40 unique venues hosting 200 up-and-coming musicians. “It’s extremely popular because the nightlife for adults is great,” Cebulski says. “They even partner with Lawrence University to provide music lessons and things for kids in the daytime.” The Downtown Appleton Farm Market overlaps, taking place each Saturday morning from June through October. College Avenue features an array of venues and museums, too. The $45 million Fox Cities Performing Arts Center was entirely funded by local residents and businesses, now a hub for Off-Broadway and black-box theater performances. Meanwhile, the Trout Museum of Art hosts summer camps, workshops and even an artist-in-residence program. In 2025, the museum will open a brand new, state-of-the-art facility closer to Lawrence University.
City Park in Appleton is a great place to relax in the shade.
Butterflies and local artists at Appleton’s City Park
Over the holidays, the towering pine tree at City Park is decorated with twinkling lights celebrating the season. Beneath the glow, visitors gather where the Fox Cities Butterfly Festival was held just a few months prior. The festival’s symbolic butterfly release adorns the scenic central fountain and playground with colorful winged insects, “helping families fly” as the event’s profits are donated to children’s service projects. The park is also home to Art in the Park, a two-day festival inviting 200 artists to showcase their work beside local vendors and a lineup of musicians. In 2016, Erb Park was entirely reconstructed, now including two outdoor swimming pools, various ball courts and even an ice-skating rink less than a mile north of the community. Back home, Arbutus Park is best visited in the morning or afternoon, set with a playground and walking path.
Appleton Area School District’s walkable institutions
Students are zoned for the Appleton Area School District, beginning at Columbus Elementary. Located at the intersection of Commercial and Oneida Streets, the school is walkable from many residences. Appleton Bilingual School operates within Zion Lutheran Church’s campus, a public charter elementary school providing English and Spanish programs. Kaleidoscope Academy is a public middle school less than a mile north. Originally Roosevelt Junior High, the school merged with the academy after a decline in enrollment. Today, Kaleidoscope enrolls around 500 students annually. All three institutions earn a C-plus on Niche. Appleton North High School earns an A-minus, offering dynamic athletic and arts programs. The school partners with Appleton Family Ice Center to provide an established hockey league, while the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival has honored North High’s theater department for 26 years in a row.
Columbus Elementary School Scores a C+ by Niche.
Kaleidoscope Academy serves grades 6-8th.
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Navigating Outagamie County
Bike lanes and Valley Transit bus stops line Oneida and Drew Street, taking riders less than a mile south into Downtown Appleton. Though bus stops and schools may be walkable, homebuyers will find that personal vehicles are required for further travel. The nearest emergency room is located at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital, an additional mile south across the Fox River. Appleton International Airport is inaccessible by bus, so many opt to rideshare or drive the 6-mile commute west on College Avenue. Green Bay commuters can expect a 30-mile trip north on Interstate 41, while Oshkosh is about 20 miles south.
The Historic Central neighborhood is served with public transportation.
Older homes line a residential street in Historic Central.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Historic Central
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Historic Central Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Historic Central, Appleton sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Historic Central, Appleton over the last 12 months is $227,500, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Centrally located between Erb Park and City Park, this updated home offers a functional layout with space to grow. The main level features an updated eat-in kitchen with appliances included, along with two bedrooms and fresh updates throughout, including all new flooring. Upstairs, you’ll find three generously sized bedrooms and a convenient half bath. Additional highlights include an attached
Small but mighty and completely refreshed! This beautifully updated ranch has been brought back to life and offers easy, low-maintenance living w style throughout. Step onto your quaint front porch & inside you'll find lots of natural light w bright, modern interior features! Gorgeous floors & light fixtures, new kitchen appliance, semi-open concept and breath-taking bath retreat. The cozy second
This sprawling 4-bedroom North Side residence features a seamless blend of original architectural details and modern updates. Property was redone a year ago through out. Entertain in the open-concept chef's kitchen, featuring new cabinetry, stainless appliances, and a eat in dining with island and build in wood shelve. The historic charm shines through with the hardwood floors, intricate wood
Welcome to Archive, Appleton’s newest community designed to bring modern living and convenience together in one stylish package! Opening in late Spring 2026, Archive offers beautifully crafted one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes with thoughtful features that make life easy and enjoyable. Inside, you’ll find fully equipped kitchens with a dishwasher, garbage disposal, refrigerator, and
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Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
