Dietrich Wittenberg Residence

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. 

Dietrich Wittenberg, a founding member of the Cedarburg Wollen Mill. Built this residence across the street from the Wittenberg Mill in 1864. While establishing his residence, he worked with Hilgen, his son-in-law, and Joseph Trottman to design and build a wollen mill in the north end of the town. Because of the proximity to Cedar Creek and the Cedarburg Mill and others, it was built and then finished in 1865 at only $30,000. With the mill's establishment, its contributions by Wittenberg also made the mill very innovative in terms of equipment and its architecture being made of stone. Hilgen would then transfer his shares to Trottman and Wittenberg, which would also establish and maintain the name of Hilgen and Wittenberg that would carry on the business until 1872 due to the mill becoming incorporated renamed the Cedarburg Wollen Mill. Along with Hilgen and Trottman, Wittenberg would work twelve hours a day for just $3.00! Wittenberg would also later serve as president of the mill. 

His residence while the mill was being operated. It was built with an inspired and excellent illustration of another great Victorian-Italianate design for the residence. The square plan is essential; it is soothed with a projecting entrance pavilion with a broken pediment. Along with the residence, there are also original cornice brackets that have remained on the structure. Unfortunately, the front porch of the structure had to be replaced. But this structure would not just be known for being occupied by Wittenberg; this residence would be the first structure in Cedarburg to use electricity. As a result, it would use electric power that the Wittenberg Mill generated that coincidentally was across the street from his residence. Wittenberg's contributions to the northern part of Cedarburg proved historic for the town.

Another interesting tidbit is the other buildings that were built after the Woolen Mill was founded. After the mill's founding, more buildings in business in the mill would be built on the east side of Cedar Creek. As a result, the mill business along with other mills started to flourish and progress in fast way. The business and the mill would produce the highest and excellent array of yarns, flannels, blankets, and other types of yarn and clothing as a result. In 1880, with the help of Wittenberg and others; a secondary mill in Grafton, just east and northeast of Cedarburg, near the creek. This mill also manufactured woolen yarns, but this mill would later separate and become its own business in Grafton. Most of these materials that the mill's used specifically came from England and were highly imported around the world. Wittenberg and his contributions to the mill insured that this part of Cedarburg is what made the town prosperous and economically well-grounded. Today, the mill is still again a thriving district of business's, dinning establishments, and gift shops that make a huge portion of Cedarburg's economy today.

Cedarburg History: Lore And Legend. Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Library Of Congress, 1976. 57-58.

Zimmermann, H. Russell. The Heritage Guidebook: Landmarks And Historical Sites In Southeastern Wisconsin. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Heritage Banks, 1976. 199.

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

Hansen, Harold E. Sketches Of Cedarburg: Celebrating 100 Years. Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Cedarburg Commemorative Corporation, 1985. 76.

Pape, James. History Of The Wittenberg Woolen Mill, The Shops Of Cedar Creek Settlement. Accessed April 22nd 2022. https://www.cedarcreeksettlement.com/history.html.

Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, Dietrich Wittenberg House, Cedarburg, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, 13428. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI13428