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This is a contributing entry for A Tour Of Historic Cedarburg and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.

A little note. Nothing is much known about George Fischer and the other individuals that have lived in this house. But with a little bit of detail we can know what exploits they did, along with how each generation lived in this home. To learn about this home, there are other individuals that have lived here as well.


Automotive parking light, Car, Tire, Wheel

Sky, Window, Building, Tree

Going back to 1848, when Cedarburg was founded as a community. George Fischer would build and establish the same year that Wisconsin became the 30th state of the United States on May 29th, 1848. Fischer lived here for a while until the California Gold Rush of 1848; he would leave for California a year later in 1849. Before he left for California, Fischer would sell his house to Edward Blank. Six years later, in 1854, Blank would be the second owner of the residence. Blank was also the second postmaster of Cedarburg and the head of Hilgen Spring Park in town. Since Blanks brought the building that year, consecutive generations of his family would live in the house for five generations, essentially passed on down the family line. Finally, Marie Kuhefuss, one of the descendants of Edward Blank, in 1989 gave the house to the Cedarburg Cultural Center in accordance with her will.

The Greek Revival structure inspires the house itself. When it was built in 1848, the original structure consisted of a north two-story frame Greek Revival setting that purposefully projected itself toward the street. Other additions to the building would be added later over the years. For example, in 1864, the southern wing of the residence was added to the building by Edward Blank himself. Not much is known about George Fischer. His exploits in the California Gold Rush are very well known, as Americans at that time were seeking to get rich when gold was discovered there in the state. Unfortunately, Blank is also not known for other exploits either. But with just a little glance into what they did and how they transformed the home here. We can get a better understanding of their lives. 

Zimmermann, Russell H.. The Heritage Guidebook: Landmarks And Historical Sites In Southeastern Wisconsin. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Heritage Banks, 1976. 196.

Zimmermann, Russell H.. The Heritage Guidebook: Landmarks And Historical Sites In Southeastern Wisconsin/Highlights Of Historic Cedarburg. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Heritage Banks, 1976.

A Walk Through Yesterday: In Cedarburg, Wisconsin. 2005.

Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, George Fischer House, Cedarburg, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, 13400. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI13400

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI13400

https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI13400