Property Record
212 PEARL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Irish Blarney Castle |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 121087 |
| Location (Address): | 212 PEARL AVE |
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| County: | Waukesha |
| City: | Mukwonago (village) |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Direction: | |
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| Year Built: | 1897 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2001 |
| Historic Use: | statue/sculpture |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Limestone |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Pearl and Grand Avenue Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 9/15/2004 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 4/16/2004 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | This small replica of an Irish castle is located behind the Rolland Porter Residence at 212 Pearl Avenue and is constructed of Limestone. The structure features a round, corner town element and is tipped with a crenelated parapet. A round-arch opening provides entry from the south and small, rectangular "window openings" are located along the walls. The small castle structure was built in June 1897 by Rolland L. Porter. Porter was born in the Town of Vernon in 1846. He left school in 1865 to work as a store clerk in Milwaukee and, two years later, moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he entered into the commission business. After returning to Milwaukee in circa 1870, Porter worked in the pension office until 1872, when he established with M.J. and W.H. Davis the Northwestern Oil Company in Milwaukee. In 1876, he married Katherine MacTurnan. Upon his father's death in 1882, Porter returned to the family farm in Vernon for four years. During this time, he was electe vice president of the National Poultry Association (1884) and won the highest award at a poultry exhibition in 1886. After the railroad came to Mukwonago, Porter started work in 1886 as a dealer in flour, feed and grain. In 1892, he hired carpenter Amos Patterson to constructe his home. Porter had a strong interest in history and served as the president of the Waukesha County Historical Society, as well as the first vice-president of the Wisconsin State Archeological Society. In 1897, the Porter family undertook a friendly rivalry with neighbors to see who could create a better garden. Inspired by a recent World's Fair, Porter constructed his replica of the Irish Blarney Castle. Although the associated home has changed hands throughout the years and the exterior has undergone substantial alterations, the castle structure has remained intact for over the last 100 years. The Blarney Castle is an excellent, intact example of what can be termed "garden folly," or element of the landscape that contributes to its beauty and/or recreational purposes. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |