Waukesha Unlocked - Sunday History Tour

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Completed in 2021, this building is the seat of government for the City of Waukesha. Featured in the first floor are the Council Chambers and Treasurers Office. The building is home to the City's Administrative Offices, and various departments. This property has served to house two previous city hall structures, the first built in 1914 (originally built as Waukesha Municipal Hospital) served as City Hall from 1930-1966. The second City Hall was dedicated in 1967, built just north of the "old" city hall location at this same address Delafield St.

2. Blair House

The old Italianate-style brick home was in the early 20th century by Waukesha Mayor Henry E. Blair.It later served many medical facility, and in the mid-20th century a meeting place for the Blue Heron Girl Scout Council (now part Girls Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast GWISE). Recently the home was sold to private owners and is being restored and remodeled as Spring City Bed and Breakfast.

3. Fourth Street Reservoir

A rare example of Art Deco in the City of Waukesha, this unique private residence began as a water tower. Prior to it's construction, a wrought iron reservoir tank was built at this 4th street location. With demand for water increasing in the city, projects to modernize the city's water infrastructure included construction of more reservoirs for storing water. After the success of other reservoirs in the city, construction began in 1934 to replace the Fourth Street Reservoir with a design by architect Martin White. Though some residents were opposed to the new design, in the end it was well received.

4. Weber Brewery

The brewing site located on North Street was first owned by Henry Meyer, but found success under second owner Stephen Weber as the West Hill Brewery. Weber expanded the original buildings, taking advantage of the lagering caves Meyer built into the hillside behind the building.The second generation of owners changed the name to the Bethesda Brewing Company, taking advantage of the reputation of the Bethesda Spring Company. It was the third generation under Killian Weber who finally reincorporated as the Weber Brewing Company in 1903. The business survived prohibition by switching to bottling milk. Its beers included: Old Fashioned, Weber Waukesha, and Weber Special.By 1958 larger production breweries and competition for distribution led Weber and Fox Head, Waukesha’s other hometown brewery, to merge. Although the North Street brewery production was closed, much of Stephen Weber’s improved building is still intact, including the original lagering caves.

5. Barstow School

In 1917, Park schools stone building was replaced by a new brick building. By 1929, the early 20th century population boom led to the school being enlarged. At this time, it was also renamed "Barstow School" in honor of Waukesha resident and Wisconsin governor from 1850-1852, William Barstow. By the 1980's, population had declined in this part of Waukesha and the school board decided to close the school building.

6. Wilbur Lumber Company

George H. Wilbur established The Wilbur Lumber Company in 1895, and ran it until his death in 1922. At one time the company supplied 500 dealers, and was a major feature of the industrialized Fox River corridor. In the 1950's some of the buildings on the site were knocked down to make way for other structures, and in 1970 the company officially went out of business. The Wilbur Lumber Company lives on in the memories and recollections of Waukesha residents.

7. Saratoga Mill Company

The Saratoga Mill is considered one of the first industries in Waukesha, established in 1839 by John Gale Jr. and later associated with William A. Barstow. The mill no longer stands, it was demolished in 1925. None the less The Saratoga Mill ushered in a period of rapid growth in the area, and provides a glimpse into the importance of industry in Waukesha's history.

8. Waukesha Dairy Pavilion site

With more cattle than people and more Guernsey cattle than the island of Guernsey, Waukesha county earned nicknames like "Cow County, USA" and the "Guernsey capital of America". From 1920 through the mid-century, the Waukesha Dairy Pavilion was the epicenter for the agrarian economy of the county. Half of the milk produced in Waukesha was sold to creameries, condenseries, cheese factories, and a malted milk factory in the county and the other half was sold as liquid milk to Milwaukee and Chicago. During the 1920's and 1930's, it was the home for the annual agricultural fair and dairy shows; as well as a Green Market. The location of the former home of the Waukesha Dairy Pavilion was on the banks of the Fox River near the Barstow Street dam which is the location of the River's Edge apartments today.

9. Sears - Roebuck Store | Discount Liquor

Sears and Roebuck Co. was founded in 1886 and opened a store in Waukesha in February of 1932 at 280 W Main St, just east of the 5-Points. At some point they opened a second farm store at 220 W. Main St. However, the store most remembered locally is the building at 919 N. Barstow St. Sears remained in the Barstow St. location until 1977 and this is the location of Discount Liquor today.

10. Schutze Recreation Building

Constructed in 1962, the Schuetze Recreation Center is named after Mr. Charles F. Schuetze “Father of the City of Waukesha’s Park System”, who served as president of the Park Board from 1926 through 1955. During this period, the following Parks were acquired and developed: Bethesda, Buchner, Frame and Horeb Springs. The Schuetze Recreation Center offers recreational experiences that promote health and wellness and offers the opportunity for residents to gather through rental opportunities and special events.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Waukesha Unlocked - Sunday History Tour

Created by Nicki Ciurro on October 6th 2022, 6:14:41 pm.

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Description

Starting at Waukesha's City Hall, this tour is a will take you through a variety of sites related to the city's history. Sites include: Schuetze Building & mill race, Wilber Lumber Company, Saratoga Mill, Kimball’s Sawmill, Hygeia Spring, Thompson Malted Milk Plant, Mary Todd Lincoln Steps, Keeley Institute #1, Acme Spring, Spence Tower, Blair House & Woolen Mill, Original Waukesha Motors Building, Weber Brewery, First Wisconsin Railroad.

Entries on This Tour

Waukesha Unlocked - Sunday History Tour

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