Historic Downtown West Bend Walking Tour
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Description
Start at the Old Courthouse Museum Square and take a tour of historic downtown West Bend! The tour ends near your starting location at 320 S 5th Avenue.
This tour was curated by: The Tower Heritage Center
Our mission is to educate, preserve, interpret, and provide access to the history of Washington County, Wisconsin through our collections, archives and programs.
1. Old Sheriff's Residence and Jail
Used as the Washington County Jail until 1962, this Cream City brick, Romanesque Revival style building housed both the County Jail and Sheriff's Residence. Although it seems unusual to us today that the Sheriff would live in the jail, it was not uncommon at the end of the 19th century. Few of these dual use structures remain today.
2. Old Washington County Courthouse
From 1890 to 1962, the Old Washington County Courthouse functioned as the center of Washington County government. Constructed in just under a year, beginning in March 1889, the Old Courthouse housed all County government until 1962 when a new building was built. At that time the courts moved, but some county offices remained in the old building. By 1992, the Old Courthouse was no longer in use by the county government and was repurposed into the Old Courthouse Museum, operated by the Washington County Historical Society.
3. Washington County Veterans' Plaza
Washington County Veterans' Plaza is adjacent to the Old Courthouse Museum located at 320 S 5th Avenue in West Bend, WI. Originally known as the Soldiers' Memorial and dedicated in 1927, the name evolved to the Veterans' Plaza as the site grew. The first monument on the site was "The Spirit of the American Doughboy" statue designed by E.M. Viquesney, to commemorate soldiers, sailors and marines who served in the Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War I.
4. Poplar Inn
One of the oldest buildings in West Bend, this Cream City brick structure was original built around 1858 as a single home, probably by then property owner August Baer. It was converted to side by side homes around 1892, and by 1910 had revered to a single family residence. It remained a home until 1855 when businesses started using the space.
5. Historic Red House
Built in 1905 by Dr. Willibald Wehle and his wife Marie for the sum of $10,000, the Red House as it is known today, was used by Dr. Wehle for his medical practice and as the family home. Stories say the foundation stones were collected by the doctor as he did his rounds. Over the years, the building it has been converted to many businesses including a tea room run by Herman and Ruth Foell from 1945 to 1947, Alfred Koffel’s chiropractic office from 1948 to 1976, and now is home to salons and law firms.
6. Old West Bend City Hall
West Bend was incorporated as a village in 1868. Having no official meeting space, the village board met in public places such as schools, taverns or private offices. When West Bend grew large enough to have city designation in 1885, a permanent meeting place became more important. Not only was a meeting place needed, a place to safely store city records was also imperative.
7. Holy Angels Catholic School
Holy Angles Catholic Church established its first parochial school associated with the church in 1866. This first school was held in the original, wood framed Holy Angels Church after a new, brick church was built. John Lindl served as the school's first teacher. This building served as the school until 1880, when it was sold and moved to make way for the second, brick school building which is still on the site.
8. West Bend Brewery
Locally referred to as Lithia Brewing Company, the West Bend Brewery has a long history in this general location. Founded in 1848 by Balthazar Goetter, a cooper and brewer from Germany, the first brewery only lasted two years before Goetter leased it out. Goetter went on to other business dealings in the City, including founding the Washington House Hotel on Main Street and a general store.
9. American Hotel Site/Gonring's Tavern
As West Bend grew, so did visitors to the city. In 1850, the first hotel was built on this location, called the Farmer's Hotel. It had several owners over the years, all of them hoteliers, before being torn down to make way for the current building on the site.
10. Bruhy Building
Built in 1900, one year before West Bend was incorporated as a city, this unique building features Cream City brick, a a corner tower and second story bay window. It was most notably the shop and office of Thomas Bruhy, and optometrist and jeweler. His office and shop were on the first floor and his residence occupied the second floor.
11. Washington House
When West Bend Brewery owner Balthazar Goetter developed an eye infection, he decided to give up brewing and moved into the hotel business. Situated half way between Milwaukee and Fond du Lac, hotels were in high demand in West Bend. The first Washington House was built in 1852 by Balthazar Goetter to serve as a hotel and meeting space.
12. Old Masonic Lodge / Emmaus Bible Church
Masonic Lodge #138 was founded in West Bend in 1862. The Masons met in several different offices and shops on Main Street until 1922 when they built their Greek Revival style Masonic Hall on 6th Avenue. The cornerstone of the building is misleading as the 1862 date reflects the founding of the lodge, not the construction of the building.
13. West Bend Theatre
Finally placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, 90 years after it was built, the West Bend Theatre has gained a new life since renovations began in 2018. When it first opened in 1929, the theater was a source of local pride and over 800 people attended the grand opening.
14. Hangartner Building
This red brick building was built in 1893 by Conrad Hangarner $40,000. A fire in 1930 caused alterations to the original façade, especially on the third floor where the majority of the damage happened. Over the years, the building has been home to many shops, office and even a factory.
15. The Schlegel Building
This brick building began as Emil Kleist's bakery. Emil was a trained baker who immigrated to West Bend from Germany. In 1899, Gotlieb Schlegel purchased the business and not only sold from his shop but added a delivery service. The first products were simple bread and rolls, but over the years products were expanded.
16. Frisby House
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, this Italianate Cream City brick house was built in 1865. Although it looks like a solid brick structure, it is actually a wood frame building which had a brick veneer added in 1891. Although extensive interior renovations have taken place over the years, the exterior is in near original condition.
