click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 421 COUNTY HIGHWAY H |
|---|---|
| County | Washington |
| City/Village | |
| Township | Farmington |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | 12 |
| Range | 20 |
| Direction | E |
| Section | 24 |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1854 |
|---|---|
| Additions | C. 1940, 1855,C. 1860 |
| Survey Date | 1999 |
| Historic Use | house |
| Architectural Style | Side Gabled |
| Structural System | Half Timber |
| Wall Material | Stucco |
| Architect | Ernst Klessig |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. Ernst Klessig was the builder. Additions: 1860s-1870s: Greek Revival porch added to front entry. 1940s-1950s: Storage shed added near driveway. Removals: "L" on house originally used as Turner meeting hall/Post Office removed/destroyed in 1920s-1930s. Brewery between summer kitchen and barn removed/destroyed in 1990-92. Replacements: Some doors and windows replaced over many years. Remodeling: Bathrooms, second kitchen, bedrooms added over many years. Generations of Klessigs have passed down stories of the Saxonia House as a hub of social, athletic, musical and intellectual activities, where German settlers could stay while building their own residences or traveling west. Immigrants and other visitors stayed at the house for days or weeks, breaking bread with the Klessig family, playing and singing German music, discussing books and politics, drinking beer brewed at the Klessigs' Farmington Brewery, and joining in other Saxonia House activities, Turn-Verein (Turner) meetings, dances, and community get toegethers. The Saxonia House also housed the local Post Office for several years. In addition to the house and other buildings, the property includes a remarkably engineered beer-storage cave with arched ceilings similar to the arched ceilings of the basements under the Saxonia House. |
| Bibliographic References | H.R. Zimmerman: "The Heritage Guidebook" pg. 244. West Bend Daily News 1/14/2004. Farmington Turner Society Centennial Book, 1962 pg. 11. Oshkosh Northwestern 1/25/2004. Memo and Preliminary Business Plan of Alan C. Pape - prepared in Summer, 1996 (for planned Saxonia House Ethnic Bed and Breakfast). Janesville Gazette 1/25/2004. Wayne H. Jens, "The Klessig Family in America II", 1997. Green Bay News Chronicle 1/25/2004. Racine Journal Times 1/26/2004. West Bend Daily News 3/16/1998. Janesville Gazette 1/30/1998. West Bend Daily News 7/2/1999. Washington County History and Driving Tours presented by the Washington County Landmarks Commission, 1999. Janesville Gazette 12/21/1999. West Bend Daily News 12/23/1999. Hartford Times Press 2/5/2004. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Saxonia House |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Feb 22, 2006 |
| State Register Listing Date | Sep 23, 2005 |
| Contributing | Yes |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
