| Additional Information: | From Bird's-eye-view maps of 1881 and 1886, it appears as though the John Lawe house was once a handsome Italianate building, but today it is hardly recognizable from the drawings. Gone are the cupola that once crowned the west wing roof, the original roof shingles and, in the case of the east wing, the entire roof! The original front porch has been removed and replaced with a tasteless modern one with thin metal railings and concrete steps. False brick siding now covers a portion of the north facade. The rest of the building has been refaced with aluminum siding. All of the original doors and windows have been removed as well as a one story south wing, which probably was used for the kitchen. The foundation is showing signs of deterioration. The only original features on the exterior of the building are the brackets beneath the cornice of the roof and the west bay window.
In the interior, the walls dividing the rooms on the first floor have been taken out. (The original plan probably consisted of three rooms plus a kitchen.) All original wall coverings have been removed and plastered over with a stucco material. Also gone are the fireplaces, stoves, and origginal lighting fixtures. The wooden staircase remains but the railings have been painted. The west bay window has been boarded up. On the second floor, the original plan has been retained (5 rooms). The upper floor stair railings are broken and some are missing. The ceiling of one of the rooms has a large hole and is sagging.
This home is historically significant as the home of George W. Lawe, widely identified as the "Father of Kaukauna." However, remodeling associated with the use of the building as a Veterans of Foreign Wars Clubhouse has altered it sufficiently to destroy the architectural integrity.
Kaukauna Assessment Rolls beginning in 1886 identify George W. Lawe as the owner of the property by that time; the home is visible on the 1886 birdseye map. The County History states that "George W. Lawe died December 1895 at his home in Kaukauna. He left a widow, son John D., and daughter Mrs. Capt. D.J. Brothers.
The first George Lawe home has been identified as being "south of the present first lock," where Lawe settled in 1839. In the period 1839-60, George Lawe was a fur trader, farmer, real estate dealer, justice of the peace, Indian agent for the Menomini, built the first roads to Appleton and Green Bay, and built the first Kaukauna Fox River Bridge. In the period after the present house was built in 1860 until his death in 1895, George Lawe continued his role as justice of the peace, postmaster of Kaukauna (1846-1886), and expanded his real estate business.
After the death of George W. Lawe, his widow Catherine and then his son John D. Lawe resided in the home. John D. Lawe was identified with real estate and insurance in Kaukauna, and managed the Hotel Brothers. The house was used as a community center and V.F.W. Clubhouse after 1939. |
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