Property Record
105 S MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Commercial House Hotel |
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| Other Name: | Canton Garden |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 13590 |
| Location (Address): | 105 S MAIN ST |
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| County: | Ozaukee |
| City: | Thiensville |
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| Year Built: | 1895 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20032014 |
| Historic Use: | lodging-hotel |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 2021 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 11/26/2004 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/16/2004 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. CNR TURRET ORIGINALLY TOPPED BY TRUNCATED PYRAMIDAL CUPOLA. ROUND ARCH WINDOWS AND BRACKETED EAVES IN TURRET. The building was built as a residence by Ernst Alten who owned the Thiensville Hotel on Green Bay Rd. Nick Wilson bought the building in 1895 and converted it into a tavern and named it "The Commercial House." Nick Wilson also ran the grain elevator that was located immediately to the west and along the railroad line. Opening of the bar took place on November 16th and 17th of 1895. Nick sold it to August Riemer in 1895. Alvin Riemer inherited it upon August's death in 1912. Alvin and his family lived on the second floor until 1915 then converted the second floor into hotel rooms. Because women weren't allowed in bar rooms, Alvin made a ice cream parlor in a back room for women. Alvin ran The Commercial House until his death in 1934. William Heusler eventually purchased the building. The structure functioned as a tavern into the 1970s; thereafter it has served as a restaurant. As of the 2014 survey, the windows in the south east elevations adjacent to the entrance have been replaced with large single pane fixed sash windows and flanking glass block sidelights. 2020: This building was damaged by fire in 2020. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Cedarburg News, 6 November 1895; See also the 2003 Village of Thiensville Survey. “Architecture and History Survey: Main Street” WHS project number 14-1126/OZ. July 2014. Prepared by Megan Daniels. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |