Property Record
153-155 GREEN BAY RD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | John F. Gierach Residence |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 124974 |
| Location (Address): | 153-155 GREEN BAY RD |
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| County: | Ozaukee |
| City: | Thiensville |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1895 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2003 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Green Bay Road Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 11/26/2004 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/16/2004 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' (Green Bay Road Historic District) 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-Public History. Gierach was the youngest son of Georg and Charlotte Gierach, and,at the age of sixteen, began an apprenticeship with master blacksmith August Bohrtz in Cedarburg. In 1889, Gierach purchased a small home and an existing smithy business in Thiensville. That same year, John married Augusta Krueger; together they had five children. As noted, Gierach built this new home after selling the house previously located on the lot, which was adjacent to his blacksmith shop that was built in 1889. The kitchen of the subject home was used as the local telephone exchange and switchboard from 1908 to 1942--the latter date representing the year that dial phones were introduced. As the telephone operations grew, the north porch of the home was partailly enclosed, expanding the original kitchen area (switchboard). Gierach served as the first president of Thiensville when the Village was incorporated in 1910. He died on 20 December 1942. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Cedarburg News, 3 April 1895; Harold Schnell, Current owner (lives in Mequon), Correspondence with Traci Schnell; Mohr, ed., History of Thiensville, 6-7. See also the 2003 Village of Thiensville Survey. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |