Property Record
2855 S WAUKESHA RD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Baron Ewald Alfred A.F.W. von Cotzhausen House |
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| Other Name: | TALL OAKS RETIREMENT HOME |
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| Reference Number: | 9279 |
| Location (Address): | 2855 S WAUKESHA RD |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
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| Year Built: | 1876 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
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| Wall Material: | Aluminum/Vinyl Siding |
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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: | A number of outbuildings are still extant: frame ice house (c. 1875), frame shed (c. 1875), and a limestone gate house (c. 1925). Von Cotzhausen was born and educated in Germany, graduating from the University of Cologne in 1855. Turned down for naval service because of poor eyesight, he came to America and settled in Milwaukee. He became a prominent lawyer, establishing the firm of Cotzhausen, Sylvester and Scheiber with close ties to the railroad industry. The firm's offices were in the Metropolitan Block which he had built. He was active in the Milwaukee Volunteer Relief Association for Civil War veterans and served in the State Senate in 1873-1874. He lived in this house from 1875-1924. J. Oscar Greenwald lived here from 1924-1938. He was the manager of the Milwaukee Gimbel Store on Plankinton Ave. Under his ownership the estate developed extensive riding trails, stables, polo field and swimming pool. Howard Bremean operated the property as a nursing home from 1938-1961. Mrs. Lorraine Cogan continued this use from 1961-1973. The property was vacant from 1973-1978. Mrs. Shirley Peterman started operating a nursing home here again in 1978. Previously surveyed in 1980. The only visible buildings that remain are the house and the barn (AHI# 11885). |
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| Bibliographic References: | Watrous, Lt. Col. Jerome A. Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Western Historical Association, Madison 1909, vol. 2, p. 982, 458. Milwaukee County Atlas 1876. Conrad, Howard, History of Milwaukee, 1895. Interview with Mrs. Shirley Peterman by Thomas Holleman in March of 1980. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |