Property Record
608 BUCHANAN RD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | John Brill House |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 51739 |
| Location (Address): | 608 BUCHANAN RD |
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| County: | Outagamie |
| City: | Kaukauna |
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| Year Built: | 1885 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Charles Hove |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' (Kaukauna Historic Properties) 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. "Situated on a tract of land that was once part of a 160 acre farm, the John Brill House faces (across Buchanan Road) the site of the original Stockbridge Indian Cemetary where Revolutionary War heroes, Aupaumut and Konkapot, were buried. This two-story house measures 46' x 56' with a large two story addition (20' x 40') added to the rear after the original portion was built. A barn measuring 35' x 70' was once located on the premises. Constructed in 1885 of cream-colored brick, the Brill House displays some of the architectural features characteristic of the Queen Anne Style including its irregular massing and frame veranda encircling a portion of the west and south facades. This veranda (as well as a smaller enclosed porch to the east) has a pent roof with carved brackets beneath its eaves. A pedimented gable defines the entranceway. Projecting gables intersect a truncated hip roof (once crowned by metal cresting) which covers the central portion of the house. Two chimneys rise from this roof. Most of the windows are double hung and have corbelled lintel caps. The John Brill House was built by Charles Hove, an architect of Regional importance who also designed many buidings in Appleton including the Temple Zion, the Volksfreund Building, and several commercial buildings in the College Avenue Historic District. The Brill House is being nominated to the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural merit as well as its historical significance. Few of the City's numerous late Nineteenth Century brick residential structures possess the craftsmanship and integrity of this building. Furthermore, its larger than average size (for Kaukauna) reflects the prominence of its original owner. 608 Buchanan Road is the home built by John brill, who was in his lifetome "considered the representative German citizen of Kaukauna" (A). Mr. Brill came to Outagamie County in 1863 and began opening land for farming. In 1872 he worked with the surveyors for the Milwaukee, Lakeshore, and Western Railroad, helping to clear the right of way for what would become one of the most important factors in building a community in south Kaukauna. In 1875 he purchased 160 acres then adjoining the city limits, and built the fine two-story brick farmhouse of this report, with the help of regionally-known architect Charles Hove. Mr. Brill was sheriff of Outagamie County twice, was assessor of the Township of buchanan, town chairman, and a State assemblyman. He was very well respected as a hard-working and honest businessman, and he became a man of means through breeding and selling blooded stock and dealing in real estate. He was an excellent silent partner for friends who needed financial help and contributed generously to such diverse projects as St. Mary's Church and the Helf family brewery (see nomination for 724 Desnoyer Street). Together with his uncles Matthias and Peter, John Brill platted Brill's addition to Kaukauna, Brill Street and Brill Road are named for this representative and productive German-American family. The John Brill farm gains additional interest in that it was the site of the first free school in Wisconsin, the 1828 Stockbridge Indian School taught by Electa Quinney, and the site of the Stockbridge burial ground in which two Revolutionary War veterans were interred." |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Commemorative Biographical Record of the Fox River Valley, p. 512, 513. (B) History of Outagamie County, p. 899. (C) Kaukauna Tax Assessment Rolls, 1891-1982. (D) Lion of the Fox Valley, 1891, p. 31. Walking Tour Through Old Kaukauna: Two Self-Guided Historic Tours Kaukauna, Wisconsin, City of Kaukauna, 1983. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |