Property Record
600-616 E OGDEN AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | John Ernst Cafe |
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| Other Name: | Business building |
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| Reference Number: | 31834 |
| Location (Address): | 600-616 E OGDEN AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1935 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19842010 |
| Historic Use: | large retail building |
| Architectural Style: | English Revival Styles |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| 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. SEE LAKE-PARK FREEWAY EIS. 2010: This two-story, Tudor Revival-style, brick business block consists of a central gabled roof section flanked by larger hipped roof (with flat top) wings. The entire storefront (south facade) has recently been renovated and now includes plate-glass windows and an expanse of stone veneer. The brick walls on the second story retain shadow evidence of wooden half-timber ornamentation. Fenestration on this level appears to be replacement casement examples. The east facade is now covered with a coating of stucco and includes a mural painted with "HOME OF JOHN ERNST CAFE, EST. 1878, MILWAUKEE'S OLDEST RESTAURANT". This building was constructed in 1935 and became the home of the John Ernst Cafe. This parcel had previously been the site of restaurants -- which is the information that provides for the "Milwaukee#25;s oldest restaurant" claim. At least six additions by Ernst were made to the structure between 1935 and 1956. After the caf¿ closed, the building in 2002 was remodeled to its present appearance and is currently occupied by at least three restaurants. Resurveyed as part of Milwaukee Downtown Connector Arch/History Survey (2010), Prepared by Heritage Research. |
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| Bibliographic References: | MILWAUKEE ETHNIC COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS TOUR, CITY OF MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT, SEPTEMBER 1994. Tom Daykin, "Former Milwaukee Cafe Location to House Panera Bread Restaurant," MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL, 24 June 2002. City of Milwaukee Intensive Survey Form. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |