Property Record
2378 N TEUTONIA AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Tastee-Freez Dairy Bar |
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| Other Name: | Tastee-Twist |
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| Reference Number: | 230560 |
| Location (Address): | 2378 N TEUTONIA AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1956 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2015 |
| Historic Use: | restaurant/supper club |
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| Wall Material: | Concrete Block |
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| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | This small, one-story concrete block structure is topped with a flat roof that angles upward to the west and upon which is the building’s signage that reads, “Tastee-Twist,” and includes an image of an ice cream/custard cone. The area beneath the overhang and along the west, north and south elevations is comprised largely of windows. The entire structure sits atop a raised section of concrete. In 1925, the Standard Oil Company built a small structure at this location to serve as an office for its associated gas station. In 1956, additions (at a cost of $4,500) were made to both the front and rear of that former office building and the structure was transformed into the Tastee-Freez Dairy Bar drive-in, making it the fourth Milwaukee location of the franchise (others were located at 5430 N. Hopkins, 3000 W. Vliet and 1032 W. Burleigh streets). Following the creation of a soft-serve pump and freezer by Leo Moranz, he joined with Harry Axene and they established the Tastee-Freez franchise, which offered fast food and soft serve products. By 1955, Tastee-Freez stands were appearing across the country. This specific location was originally managed by Frederick D. Ivins. A 1967 occupancy permit indicates that the property had changed its name to “Community Custard,” however, the 1968 city directory continues to identify the business as a Tastee-Freez. At some point, however, the location left the Tastee-Freez franchise (which is identified as one of the longest-lived franchise operation in the U.S.) and renamed itself Tastee-Twist, the signage of which remains on top of the building today. -"N Teutonia Ave, W Garfield Ave-W Groeling Ave ", WisDOT #2080-00-03, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (Schnell). (2015). |
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| Bibliographic References: | Original permit for 2378 N. Teutonia Avenue, 2 December 1925; An occupancy permit for “Community Custard” was issued on 5 July 1967; however, the Milwaukee city directory continues to identify it as a Tastee-Freez as of 1968. A 1952 newspaper article notes that expansion into southeastern Wisconsin was planned by the Tastee-Freez Corporation of America. At that time, eight stores were to be added in Milwaukee, Madison, Racine and Beloit, Newsbrief (re: Tastee-Freez), The Milwaukee Sentinel, 18 December 1952, 2-6, col. 4. Two images of Tastee-Freez stands are included in the subject company’s website. An identifiable difference is the upward angle of the roofline—a feature that is not evident on the two website images or on any of the extant Illinois examples (all of which are flat-roofed and were found doing a Google search). As noted in the text, the most significant change is that of the signage and business name, Tastee-Freez website, Available online at www.tastee-freez.com/ about.php, Accessed January 2016. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |