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.

Although named for it's owner, the Blair House was constructed in 1876 by Samuel Dodd. It is a prominent example of Italianate style residential architecture. The original building is two stories, with single story porches and a single story wing to the northeast. In 1977 a one story addition was added to the garage wing.

Samuel Dodd immigrated from England in 1863, and came to Wisconsin by way of New York. He arrived during an incredible period of growth for the town - with the economic prosperity of the Springs Era feeding new construction in the city. Dodd is referred to as a carpenter and contractor, and even an architect in the 1890 Waukesha Directory. He worked on projects at Carroll College, the Industrial School, and the Northwestern Depot.

From the property file for the Blair House, WHS: Architectural and Historic Inventory:

William E. Blair "pioneer industrialist and businessman...native of Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland...arrived in Prairieville 1845 (and) trained as a machinist. He entered into partnership with Amos McLachan to produce agricultural implements. He opened a foundry in 1851 and purchased WD Bacon's machine shop in 1853. The Blair Foundry was the largest industry in the village during this period."¹

1855 - Blair founder of Waukesha County Bank

1866 - Waukesha County Bank president | founded Waukesha County Manufacturing Company (woolen mill) which he remained president until his death in 1880.

Political Activity:

5 terms - village Trustee

4 terms - village President

3 terms - state senator.

Freeman 7 Sept 1968:

Blair established a threshing machine plant and Blair's Iron Works. He was an original stockholder and director of the Waukesha County Bank, now First National Bank. He was a director and president of Waukesha County Manufacturing Co, a woolen mill that was the largest manufacturing enterprise in Waukesha between 1866 and 1880. The home was willed to the city by his son, Henry.

Freeman 2 Dec 1989:

Built in 1876

On National Register of Landmarks 1983

Henry Blair died and it was passed onto the city of Waukesha in 1957

Freeman 6 Aug 1957:

Conditions of the will

Henry's life accomplishments