Property Record
8025 W WISCONSIN AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Henry J. and Sophia Ball House |
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| Reference Number: | 78031 |
| Location (Address): | 8025 W WISCONSIN AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Wauwatosa |
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| Year Built: | 1938 |
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| Additions: | 1993 |
| Survey Date: | 1995202020212024 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | English Revival Styles |
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| Wall Material: | Stone Veneer |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | 2021: Appearance unchanged. 2022 WisDOT survey information: This two-story, Tudor Revival-style house is faced with Lannon stone and topped with a slate shingle roof. The home’s primary (north) entrance is located at the approximate center, within the gabled section that includes a dominant exterior chimney. The door itself is framed by a cut stone surround, while a multiple-light, double-hung sash window with similar framing is located along the second floor. Windows throughout the remainder of the house are multiple-light, double-hung sash, with the primary elevation examples also featuring a cut stone surround. A one-story wing extends to the east. Construction of the subject home, which was estimated to cost $13,000 and was built by contractor William F. Thalman, began in late 1937 and was completed the following year. The home’s original owners were Henry J. and Sophia Ball. Henry Ball was born in Wisconsin in 1868. In 1891, he married Sophia Stoedefalke and they had at least six children. After working in the trucking business, Henry Ball would establish his own trucking company which would be named HJ Ball and Sons. After living on South Pierce Street in Milwaukee for more than three decades, the Balls would move in 1937 to this house in Wauwatosa. As of 1942, Ball is identified as the vice president of the Mitchell Street Bank. He died in 1951; Sophia remained in the house until her death five years later. The next owner of the house was Dr. Arthur Gabriel (a dentist) and his wife Elaine. 2024: Appearance unchanged. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Citations for the 2022 survey information provided below in Additional Comments: Original building permit for 8025 W. Wisconsin Avenue dated 27 October 1937, cites Henry J. Ball as owner, Wm. F. Thalman as contractor, and the approximate cost of construction as $13,000; Assessor’s records indicate a 1937 date of construction; however, based on the late date of the permit, it was most likely completed in 1938; Permit to alter 8025 W. Wisconsin, 12 July 1993, cites W.W. Lange of Mequon, WI as the architect and an estimated cost of $30,000; the nature of the alterations is unknown at this time; U.S. Federal Census, Population, 1930, 1940; Wauwatosa City Directory, Various dates reviewed from 1939 until 1992. William Thalman worked with architect Edmund Schrang at the time the house was built, so it is likely (but unconfirmed) that Schrang was responsible for the home’s design. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |