| 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 Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
The 1871 portion of the Schlegelmilch House includes only the west wing of the dwelling. In 1906, three years after Augusta's death, her daughter Louise built the east wing which replaced a frame addition (this is visible on photo available at Chippewa Valley Museum). At the same time the main entrance which originally faced S. Farwell St. was moved to the south side. A bay window marks the old entrance. It also seems likely that the modillions accenting the eave line were added in 1906. In 1977 Agnes Barland McDaniel, a descendent of Herman Schlegelmilch, donated the house to the Chippewa Valley Museum to be maintained as an example of an early merchant's home, open to the public for educational purposes.
Herman Schlegelmilch, builder of this residence, and gunmaker by trade, was born in Suhl, Germany, and migrated to the United States in 1853. In 1860 Schlegelmilch settled in Eau Claire where he established a successful hardware business. He also served the city as a supervisor of the village of Eau Claire (this was previous to the city's incorporation in 1872) and as an alderman once the city was incorporated. Schlegelmilch died in 1903 (C).
1987 SURVEY UPDATE: The original window shutters have been added.
2016- "Herman Schlegelmilch, an accomplished German gunsmith, immigrated to the United States in 1853 and settled in Eau Claire in 1860, when he built the first brick commercial building in Eau Claire at 217 South Barstow Street. He hoped it could survive the numerous fires that ravaged the "sawdust city" at this time.
Schlegelmilch purchased a frame house at 517 South Farwell Street in 1869, and in 1871 added a two-story west wing, thought to be the first brick residence in Eau Claire. The main entrance faced Farwell Street. In 1906, three years after the death of Schlegelmilch's wife, his daughter Louise replaced the original framed portion of the house with a two-story brick addition. The entry was replaced by a bay window and moved from Farwell Street to Lake Street. Electricity and plumbing were installed at this time.
In 1977, Agnes Barland McDaniel, a Schlegelmilch descendant, donated the house to the Chippewa Valley Museum to be maintained as an example of an early merchant's home. The museum provides regular tours, special programs, educational classes and private functions, such as weddings, at the house."
-"Eau Claire Landmarks: Designated Historic Properties in Eau Claire, Wisconsin", Eau Claire Landmarks Commission, P.O. Box 5148, 2016. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Cornerstone.
(B) Information available at Schlegelmilch House.
(C) History of Eau Claire County, 1914, p. 566.
(D) Photo, c. 1882 - photo collection, Chippewa Valley Museum.
(E) OUR STORY, P. 108.
(F) EAU CLAIRE LEADER-TELEGRAM 9/18/1994.
(G) EAU CLAIRE LEADER TELEGRAM 6/21/1996.
(H) Another map code for this building is EC 1P/32 and the corresponding Survey Map name is Plat Map #8.
Eau Claire Leader Telegram 6/26/1997.
Chippewa Falls Herald Telegram 6/26/1997.
Take a Walk on Main Street: Historic Walking Tours in Wisconsin's Main Street Communities, Wisconsin Main Street Program, 1998.
"Then and Now" Eau Claire Landmarks Commission 2000 calendar.
Eau Claire Landmarks booklet published by the Eau Claire Landmarks Commission in 2002. |
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