Property Record
9251 COTTAGE ROW
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 48317 |
| Location (Address): | 9251 COTTAGE ROW |
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| County: | Door |
| City: | |
| Township/Village: | Gibraltar |
| Unincorporated Community: | Fish Creek |
| Town: | 31 |
| Range: | 27 |
| Direction: | E |
| Section: | 31 |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1926 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1992 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Gabled Ell |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Log |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | #650: Garages 365-20, guest house 35-19. Historical Background This small log house was constructed in 1926 for Gilbert and Bessie Smith of Evanston, Illinois. Smith originally came to Fish creek as a government "tail for Mr. Guenzel." Guenzel was Prussian and had not yet gotten his citizenship papers. During World War I, the family was not allowed more than a mile from their apartment without permission. Special permission was required for the Guenzels to go to Fish Creek. The families became friends even before the end of the war. Later the Smiths sold the house to Thomas Marshall of Bell, Boyd and Marshall in Chicago. After passing to Thomas Marshall junior, the property was sold to the Stroms in 1991. Historical Significance As with the other summer residences on Cottage Row, this property represents the pattern of living of wealthy urban midwesterners seeking to escape the heat of the cities. Mothers and children would spend the entire summer in Fish Creek, while the fathers would visit as their business schedules would allow. In some cases, several generations and family branches would share the same house. Architectural Description This house is a simple, small log side gable house with an attic. The property includes a small playhouse [35/19] and an art studio constructed for Mrs. Marshall [36/20]. Architectural Significance The home was only intended for summer use. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Archibald Douglass Cottage Row Building List. B. Betsy Guenzel, Fish Creek, The Summertime, privately printed, 1991. C. Betsy Guenzel, September 2, 1991 interview with Rebecca Sample Bernstein, White Gull Inn, Fish Creek. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |