Welcome to Cedarburg! We hope that your stay here is very comfortable. Today, we will be touring the historic buildings of Cedarburg. We will be exploring the individuals and families that have lived here, what their structures looked like, and how they lived their lives here. Let's begin the tour!
On the second stop on the tour is the Cedarburg Mill. This mill is special to Cedarburg, not just for the economic value it brought to the town. But also for its historic nature. This mill is considered one of the most historic mills and tallest mill in the Midwest.
On our third stop, we will be looking at a very unique building here in Cedarburg. It is very unusual, due to the building's Eastern influence from Asia. But, it provides a very unique description as to how this building came into place in this town, so let's begin.
Another to note as you move north along Washington Avenue. Just like the Frederick Commercial Building, some of these residences along downtown Cedarburg were also used as small buisness's as well as residencies. The next building that you will see is a great example of these buildings serving people's needs.
This building not only has a history, but it also has the history of the individual who owned it and worked here. His name is Erhardt G. Wurthmann, and he was a very influential man that influenced Cedarburg's Fire Department as well as showing the genuine immigrant experience to America.
Here, we will look at the home of the second main founding father of Cedarburg, William H. Schroeder. His importance to Cedarburg is also important, because of his contributions to the community. His residence, however, is another unique one here due to the situation he was in while working as a bookkeeper.
What is known about Juergen Schroeder is that he also was a business owner. But he wasn't the only business owner along Washington Avenue. The buildings themselves are of the same structure, but at the same time, they are very different in how they conducted their business here in Cedarburg.
Now, we will explore the historical buildings along Washington Avenue in downtown Cedarburg. This is where the full history of Cedarburg actually starts. The majority of the buildings here on Washington Avenue are registered in The National Register Of Historic Places. Cedarburg has the most historic buildings in Wisconsin that are on the National Register Of Historic Places.
On our last stop of this tour, I would like to thank you being on this journey with me. Thank you for choosing to explore this historic town, as well as learning about how Cedarburg is a very special community here in Wisconsin. I thank you for your participation, your curiosity, and your drive to learn. Thank you so much, and enjoy your stay here in Cedarburg!
The Washington House Inn is one of the most iconic buildings here in downtown. It's structure expresses the history that it made here for the town, as well as for others who walked through its doors. The stories that are in this structure are too much to tell, but a brief description of it will give its context.
This residence is another great example of nineteenth-century architecture. But, at the same time, there is not much known information about the individual who lived here. The only thing we can tell by the name is obviously of German descent, but we don't know how this individual impacted Cedarburg entirely.
John Grundke is another Civil War veteran that lived here in Cedarburg. Just like are our four previous Civil War related connections to Cedarburg, Grundke's was different however. He only fought in one battle. But it would be a battle that affected the rest of his life as well as his involvement here in Cedarburg.
All I can say, is that there is only one Rivoli Theatre, and that is here in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. This theatre has provided entertainment to the community for decades. Today, its still operating to hold not just films, but important areas for the community to discuss as well as gather.
This building is another crucial building to understand here in Cedarburg. This was a residence, yes, but it was also used as a school that helped German immigrants speak German while getting adjusted to United States culture in the 19th century. But this would also create controversy during World War 1 when the United States got involved.
A little note to remember before we discuss this building. The man who worked in this building was not just a business owner, he was also a soldier who served the United States in the Civil War. His service shows how he operated his business, as well as how serving in the army helped serve his community.
The next building down is also another example of an historic storefront here in Cedarburg. This one is special when it comes to an historic storefront, mainly because of the clock that stands in front of the store. But you'll notice that looking at the structure of the building is very interesting.
This next building is probably my favorite here in Cedarburg. This house not only had one of the major figures in the town, but that figure was also a veteran of the American Civil War, and fought for the United States. His life impacted everything he did her in Cedarburg.
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.
The next building down is also very unique here. But it is slightly even more different. This building served three purposes, selling products and also hosting as a residence. What is also interesting about these buildings, is the houses that are built next to the business buildings as well. Today it is Stilt House Gastro and Bar.
The next church on this tour has a very familiar theme to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. The only big difference here is the years that they were established. But again, at the same time, these congregations and their backstories are very intertwined with one another regarding their faith and lives.
This next stop will not be a building. But, it has had huge impacts here in Cedarburg as well as the rest of Ozaukee County. This trail is the bedrock of Cedarburg, mostly because of what the trail used to be. As the description will say, this trail was used differently than for its recreational use today.
Now we will move on to two buildings that used to be Cedarburg's high school and grade school. These two buildings mean everything to Cedarburg, city hall occupies the original high school where it meets the needs of the community. The grade school now is home to the festival planning for the many festivals here in the town throughout the years. Their establishment would help throughout the years the education of Cedarburg's young students from then to the present day.
One thing to note here, is that there is not much detail on Henry Nero and his life. Maybe he was an immigrant or an American moving to Cedarburg from a different state or town. But if we learn about his son, William Nero, we can learn about the personal issues that Henry was dealing with when his son came home from war.
This residence was established in 1907. This next house was very tricky, because there is not much known information about Fred Schuette or his whereabouts. But, by looking at two details of his life as well as his residence. We can get a sense of what he did here in Cedarburg.
As we move on from Lauterbach's building to John Wirth's building. There should a not of awareness here. There is not much well known knowledge about Wirth, why he came here to Cedarburg, or why he decided to open up his business here. But in showing the business operations he conducted, we can see that he was very ambitious man that contributed to Cedarburg and Ozaukee County as a whole.
This next business is another interesting structure here in Cedarburg. Not only is its business influential here for decades, it also provides a very personal story to the family that worked and establish this market, grocery store, and meat butchering operation. The building is very unique, but the family behind the building is also very unique.
Another note to take while analyzing this building. This version of the building is not the original Blacksmith shop that you see currently. This building is a replica of the building that was built in 1848, as it will be explained in the brief description of the original shop that was established.
This church is also another iconic one next to Saint Francis Borgia Catholic Church. Earlier in the tour, we talked about the huge influence of the German-Lutheran community here in town. That theme is continuing here with Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. Not only its design very historic, but its origins go back to 1852.
The next residence that we will look at has a very good tie with Henry Roth and his life in Cedarburg. John Roth, however, did not fight in the Civil War alongside his brother. But, John Roth made a huge life here in Cedarburg that didn't require him to fight.
Here is another house that hosted another influential individual here in Cedarburg. Charles Wirth is another person who has influenced this community. By showing his contributions to the many roles he had during his life, we can get a clear picture why he was so influential here as well as another great Cedarburg citizen.
Here is another thing to note about the title of Cobbler. Sometimes this term gets confused with something else, a cobbler would make shoes in the nineteenth century, but sometimes the terms shoemaker and cobbler get mixed in together when they are entirely different terms altogether. Keep this in mind.
This next building is another interesting addition here in Cedarburg. But it's not just the building, it is Conrad Wiesler's expressive life that gives glow to this building. Knowing what political affiliations Wiesler ascribed himself to, we can see how he got into the business of owning a hotel and opening up a restaurant while being in a heavily hostile political environment.
The next residence on the tour is a very unique one here in Cedarburg. Notably to its connections to the Brewing industry here in town. We don't know much about Weber and his life before or after, but his presence here in this residence makes it unique here in the town.
Leopold Jochem is another interesting individual here in Cedarburg. The house that was his residence is now the Cedarburg Art Museum. His story is also another great example of the German immigrant experience to Wisconsin and the United States, the full history of this residence shows the immigrant experience here.
Here is another little note for this next residence. There is little knowledge of the man or family that lived in this house in the nineteenth century, there is not much known about him or the family. But, this house was used by another family that will be described briefly.
Our next stop also shows an influential figure in Cedarburg's history. John Nieman, his contributions to this community, as well as help start off a major business in the area show the hard work and determination to make a name for himself as well as work hard for what he envisioned to help his community and the area as a whole.
The next building down also has a unique history here to Cedarburg. As you already know, Business's thrived here ever since the town was founded in the 1840s. But this building gives special merit. Not only is it a family business, there is another Civil War connection here as well.
Another note until we learn about this church. Due to the heavily influence of German and Irish Protestants in Cedarburg, they were not just the sole religious group here. German and Irish Catholics also made a majority of the area both during the founding of Cedarburg, as well as the community's development into a more diverse religious community as a whole.
Moving further along the avenue, we return to Henry Roth and his story after his Civil War service. For Roth, as well as many other veterans, tried to put their lives back together after the war. He went back to his job as a carpenter, but he would do other ventures as well.
This structure is one of the oldest and most historic structures here in Cedarburg. But one thing needs to be made absolutely clear, no prominent figure from Cedarburg lived here. But looking at the design of the house, we can see how one historical figure influenced the design of the house that was one of the founding members of the community.
Now we will depart on the east side of Washington Avenue and to the west side. This next historic residence is a prime example of stone made houses here in town. Not much is known about Adolph Boehme, but his residence shows the craftsmanship he put into the residence as a whole.
As we continue further south along Washington Avenue. This next residence is also of huge historical implications here in Cedarburg. Dietrich Wittenberg, a founding member of the Cedarburg Woolen Mill. Was another major figure here that made the Cedar Creek Settlement it is today here in Cedarburg and the area.
The next mill that we'll see today is now part of The Cedar Creek Settlement Shops were there are gift shops, restaurants, and other assortments that are sold. But this area in 1864 and 1865 was a thriving business district set-up by three founding members of Cedarburg along Cedar Creek.
Now we will move on to a religious structure to our left, going East. This church is as historic as all the other churches here in Cedarburg. These churches show the influence of German immigrants and German-Americans on this community. At the same time, it show the immigrant story.
Now we will head further east to our first historic residence here in Cedarburg. This residence explains also very well the immigrant story here in Cedarburg, but it also shows how the residence was designed with unique features as well as the proximity of other historical buildings here also.
What is interesting about this structure, is its connections with Stallman. E. Hilgen is directly connected with Frederick Hilgen, the founder of the Cedarburg Mill. What is interesting here is that this house would be established exactly five years after 1865 after the Civil War ended and going into Reconstruction.
As we continue down Columbia Road. You'll notice that as we continue further down the road, that most of the buildings here are very modern suburban houses. But this next house, just as Adam Gleitzmann's residence was, is even more historic to the year that the building it was built.
Since William Schroeder's residence is next door, there is another individual who lived right next to him, and was his neighbor; his father, Juergen Schroeder. But not much is known about William's father; but in describing his father's residence, we can get a clear picture of what his character was like.
The next property that will be examined today is surrounded by some urban development. But the area where the milll is and the residence next to it still shows the dam that was used for the mill's power structure as well as its influence on the town and in the community of Grafton as well.
What is interesting about this residence is the personal family dynamics that took place between Heinrich Anschuetz and his son Peter. On a another note, this residence could not be found due to it probably (we never know) being demolished. But it was here in the region you are standing.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
Get a QR Code for this tour
Enjoy A Walking Tour Of Historic Cedarburg: From Washington Avenue To Columbia Road. Take in and learn the history of these historic buildings, individuals, and their impact here throughout the communities history. Have fun, learn much, and enjoy your walk.
