Property Record
2103 STATE HIGHWAY 164
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Kurtz Residence and General Merchandise |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 120425 |
| Location (Address): | 2103 STATE HIGHWAY 164 |
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| County: | Washington |
| City: | Richfield |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | Pleasant Hill |
| Town: | 9 |
| Range: | 19 |
| Direction: | E |
| Section: | 5 |
| Quarter Section: | SE |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: | SE |
| Year Built: | 1850 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2000 |
| Historic Use: | grocery |
| Architectural Style: | Other Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Aluminum/Vinyl Siding |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | 2000: "Rising from a fieldstone foundation, this multi-gabled structure is covered with wide aluminum siding and is the result of combining two buildings. The south half, a portion of which is constructed of log, features a pair of gabled wall dormers, one each to the south and east. One-over-one light windows are arranged singly throughout this portion. The north section is essentially a gabled block, oriented to the east, that exhibits a shed-roof/lean-to wing to the north. Windows in this block are both one-over-one and two-over-two-light sashes. Historic photographs included in Richfield Remembers the Past indicate that significant alterations have occurred to the building over the last century. The southern portion originally featured a two-story, open porch along its east facade, while a small, one-story porch shielded an entrance previously located along the southern elevation. Most significant, however, was the removal of the stepped parapet, false front of the northern half. In addition, the entire structure was originally covered with clapboard and windows were largely two-over-two examples. A ca. 1920, rock-faced concrete block garage, featuring four pair of wooden, swinging doors, is located north of the former residence/store. This structure formerly functioned as a combination residence.general store/post office, and was known as Kurtz General Merchandise. While part of the southern residential portion is constructed of log and was erected as early as the 1850s, the northern commercial section is believed to date to circa 1900. Nicholas Baer purchased the lot from John Fedderhen in October 1885. Therefor, a circa 1885 date of remodeling (for the southern portion) seems likely. Baer and his wife Helen, sold the corner parcel to Philip and Mary Kurtz in February 1900. The Baer (Baer's Corners) post office was discontinued in 1909. Philip likely passed away prior to 1931, as Mary was married that year to Jake Frank. Mary died in 1941 and the residence/store was sold to Joe & Elizabeth Rice between 1942 and 1943. The Rice's ran the store into the 1950s. It was in late 1950s that the siding was applied to the structure as a whole." |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |