| Additional Information: | Originally constructed as a part of Charles Abresch's Wagon and Carriage factory. Established in 1870, Abresch's main factory was across the street. At the time of this expansion this factory was the largest of its type in the city. Employing over 100 workers, they later bridged the gap into the automobile era by becoming an auto body repair business. In 1910 this building was sold to the Charles Stehling Company, distributers of tannery machinery. This property consists of a three-story, brick warehouse building with a one-story wing addition to the north. Erected in 1910, this vernacular, brick-faced, factory building rises from a poured concrete foundation and is vertically articulated with brick pilasters. Rectangular doorways and windows are regularly placed throughout the structure. While the multiple-light openings along the first floor and the east facade's second level are largely intact, the remainder have been altered in size and/or boarded over. The parapet of the structure is topped with tile coping; thereby suggesting that the parapet has been altered/replaced. Modern signage has been applied to the structure along the cornice and first levels; however, the vertical, neon "HARDWARE" sign dates to the circa 1930s. A one-story storage shed for the Charles Abresch Wagon & Carriage factory was located at this site in 1902. By 1910, the one-story structure was razed and Charles H. Stehling erected the subject, three-story structure in order to house his business, the Charles H. Stehling Co.--architects and distributors of tannery machinery and tools. Prior to 1910, Stehling had worked as a contractor and an architect and was responsible for the construction of a number of residential, commercial and industrial buildings in the City of Milwaukee. In fact, Stehling was listed as the architect of the home of wagon-maker Charles Abresch as well as the subject manufacturing facility. He began the manufacturing/distribution business in 1905 and the firm was located on nearby Commerce Street. Stehling passed away in 1921, however, Stehling Co. letterhead from 1931 indicates that Stehling relatives George, Joseph and Hugo were running the firm. Aside from the main office and factory, the company had a foundry in Cedarburg. The Stehling Co. remained in business in the subject structure until 1977. For nearly ten years, the A.J. Briel Meier Supply Co. occupied the building and, for the last fourteen years, National Ace Hardware has occupied this structure as well as the three-story, former fire station building to the north. He also designed his own residence (located at 1840 N. 5th Street). The Stehling Residence was designated a City of Milwaukee landmark in 1984 on the basis of its architecture and Stehling's business contributions to the city. 2016 - resurveyed, appearance unchanged. |
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