Property Record
8108 W NATIONAL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Robert Schmidt Welding and Repair Shop |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 9261 |
| Location (Address): | 8108 W NATIONAL AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
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| Year Built: | 1937 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20072017 |
| Historic Use: | garage (residential) |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Auto Lab took ownership of this building in 1976. Due to the integrity parameters associated with the 2007 community survey, this building was resurveyed. However, note that as of 2007, the garage door is constructed of aluminum. This building was a non-contributing element of the National Commercial Historic District, district no longer holds. 2017 survey information: This one-story, brick-faced, concrete block building is topped with a flat roof. Fenestration includes a square, plate-glass window with two-light transom above and header brick sill below; a metal-and-glass door near the center; and an overhead garage door occupying the east half of the facade. Ornamentation is limited to a course of soldier brick that runs atop the overhead garage door, as well as two rectangular insets of patterned brickwork that are situated near the roof’s edge. Constructed in 1937, this structure was built at a cost of $3,200 by Mrs. Margaret Liebenthal for Robert Schmidt as his welding and repair shop. Previously, Robert Schmidt worked as a blacksmith, specifically making horse shoes in the shop of Charles Liebenthal, who had operated a blacksmith shop at that specific location since circa 1900. Schmidt operated his welding and repair business in the brick building through at least 1950. It was utilized as the Jewel Garage (Harold A. Steel) by no later than 1964. Big Boyz Mufflers is the current occupant of the building. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Citations associated with the 2017 survey information: Original building permit for 8108 W. National Avenue, 13 April 1937, est. cost $3,200, contractor/architect Russell Geske, permit cites name as Mary Liebenthal but Margaret is correct; “Old Makes Way for New; Smithy Goes,” West Allis Star, 25 April 1937; Permit for Occupancy, 1964, includes the name of the Jewel garage and its owner Harold A. Steel. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |