Property Record
240 HAMILTON RD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | TURN HALLE |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 13165 |
| Location (Address): | 240 HAMILTON RD |
|---|---|
| County: | Ozaukee |
| City: | |
| Township/Village: | Cedarburg |
| Unincorporated Community: | HAMILTON |
| Town: | 10 |
| Range: | 21 |
| Direction: | E |
| Section: | 35 |
| Quarter Section: | SE |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: | NW |
| Year Built: | 1867 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1975 |
| Historic Use: | meeting hall |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Fieldstone |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Hamilton Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 7/1/1976 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | 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 State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. ROUND ARCH WINDOWS W/KEYSTONE. 1/2 ROUND FANLIGHT WINDOW IN GABLE. MOST IMPORTANT BLDG. IN HAMILTON ARCHITECTURALLY AND HISTORICALLY. Edward Janssen promoted many social and cultural events in this building. He also built the building. ONCE HOME OF EXCELSIOR SHOE AND SLIPPER CO. The Halle is a fieldstone structure with courses tooled in mortar. The keystones and quoins are all made of smooth-faced ashlar. A balcony comprised the second floor, and a long bar ran the length of the building on the main floor. A plastered arched ceiling formed a canopy under the roof. According to Cook (1976), Turn Halle was built by William Janssen for the Turnverein Society after the Hamilton group split off from the Cedarburg chapter. An upper floor and cupola were added a few years later. The ground floor was used for various recreational activities while the upper floor was for dining, dancing, and concerts. In the 1870s, the building was leased to Andrew Bodendorfer, owner of the Concordia Mill. He remodeled the upper floor for more dances while he used the ground floor as grain storage. In 1892, Bodendorfer started the Excelsior Shoe and Slipper Company in Turn Halle until the operation was moved in the 1900s. Circa 1939, Turn Halle housed an apple press for cider-making. The Cedarburg Town Board purchased the building in 1976. Covenant/Easement: From 11/25/1980 to 11/25/1990. A 'covenant file' exists for this property. It may contain additional information such as photos, drawings and correspondence. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | ZIMMERMANN, RUSSELL "THE HERITAGE GUIDEBOOK" (HERITAGE BANKS 1976). Cook, Ruth. Historic Hamilton. Town of Cedarburg Landmarks Commission, 1976. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |