731 WATER ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

731 WATER ST

Architecture and History Inventory
731 WATER ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:William Schwenker's Harness Shop
Other Name:Schwenker's Woodworking Shop
Contributing:
Reference Number:58095
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):731 WATER ST
County:Sauk
City:Sauk City
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1866
Additions:
Survey Date:19962007
Historic Use:small retail building
Architectural Style:Boomtown
Structural System:
Wall Material:Aluminum/Vinyl Siding
Architect: Christian Schumm
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name:Not listed
National Register Listing Date:
State Register Listing Date:
NOTES
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 State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation./NR Questionnaire

This building originally served as a tavern, Harmonie Halle, and was located on the street level of the building, while the family lived above. Under Conrad Jaeger's ownership, the building was a general store and then a grain and livestock office. In 1911, William Schwenker bought the building and refitted it as a harness shop. William's son, Hugo, was also a harness maker, but as autos, trucks, and tractors became more popular, he refitted the shop for cabinet making and added a piano. Hugo and August Derleth gathered with close friends regularly around the pot belly stove to talk politics, make music, and sing.
Bibliographic References:Historic Sauk City Walking Tour brochure, 2012.
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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