Property Record
8121-8125 W NATIONAL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Max Stern Dry Goods |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 9265 |
| Location (Address): | 8121-8125 W NATIONAL AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1900 |
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| Additions: | 1937 |
| Survey Date: | 20072017 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Aluminum/Vinyl Siding |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | Previously surveyed in 1980, at which time the building was occupied by ACE UPHOLSTERY / HUSE CABINET & SUPPLY CO. As of 2007, rear building was re-sided with vinyl with some window changes. An updated photo was provided to reflect changes. Due to high integrity threshold associated with the survey, the building not resurveyed in 2007. 2017 survey: This structure is comprised of two periods of building; an original, two-story, front-gabled structure and a one-story, brick-faced and concrete block storefront addition to the east and across the front. Regarding the former, it is topped with an asphalt-shingled roof and walls are covered with narrow vinyl. Windows throughout the circa-1900 building are modern, double-hung replacements. The 1937, one-story concrete block and brick addition with a stepped parapet creates two separate storefronts, as well as includes a central entrance to the rear building. The 1937 storefront remains largely intact with each of the storefronts continuing to retain their respective windows and overhead transom. The initials J.P. are inscribed in a small stone block within the parapet over the west storefront. The earliest known owner/occupant of the building was Max Stern, who operated a dry goods business out of the first floor of the original portion of the building from circa 1905 to 1913, while he and his family resided on the second floor. From 1913 to at least 1940, Joseph Pahle and, later his son Ray, owned the building in which they operated a grocery store and meat market. Joseph died in 1929 and in 1937, Ray razed the frame building next door on the east and constructed the existing one-story, concrete block and brick front addition, which cost approximately $6,000. As of 1950, Francis Brunette was running a grocery and meat market out of the former Pahle space, while the other storefront was occupied by West Side Electric. Today the storefronts are utilized by a tattoo parlor and the West Allis Cat network, a cat shelter |
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| Bibliographic References: | Citations associated with 2017 survey information: Assessor’s Records, City of West Allis, Available online at http://apps.westalliswi.gov/property_search/search.aspx, Accessed March 2017; West Allis City Directory, 1904, 1916, 1940, 1950; Wisconsin State Census, 1905, Available online at www.Ancestry.com, Accessed March 2017; “Jos. H. Pahle Dies Suddenly,” West Allis (WI) Star, 30 May 1929, 6/8; Permit for addition, 2 April 1937, est. cost $6,000. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |