| 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.
This structure is a fine example of a late 19th century residence. Its design is heavingly influenced by the German Classicism which is evidenced by the stepped gables and entry details.
John and Frank Barth were liquor merchants located at the corner of Clinton and South Water Streets. Succeeding Emil Schneider who established the business in 1854, the Barth Company took complete control in 1892. John had been with Schneider since 1872. The brothers dealt primarily with whiskies, bourbons, and California brandies. Their trade area extended over four states.
There is a related carriage house.
"Seemingly out of place in the neighborhood called Yankee Hill, this German Renaissance Revival style mansion was built for John Barth, a child of German immigrant parents. Barth was born in Milwaukee and in 1872 began working for his brother-in-law Emil Schneider, who operated a wholesale wine and liquor business on S. 1st Street in Walker's Point. When Schneider retired ten year later, Barth took over the company, eventually renaming it after himself. At the pinnacle of his career, Barth left his modest south side residence to build a mansion in what had been an enclave of well-to-do Yankees and New Yorkers in Milwaukee's early decades. The aging, but still fashionable, neighborhood was at the fringe of the prestigious Prospect Avenue mansion district and must have represented a considerable increase in social status for the Barth family. Barth did not long enjoy his fine new house because he died suddenly in 1905 at the age of 51. Family members lived on in the house through 1920. The house later became a home for Catholic girls and is now a rooming house for students.
At the time of its construction, many prosperous German-Americans were erecting similar German Renaissance inspired mansions around the city. For their new houses, they favored the dramatic stepped gables, extensive use of terra cotta trim and tan colored brick seen on this house. The delicacy of the ornament and flatness of the facade on the Barth house sets it apart from the other houses of this type, perhaps reflecting the non-German background of its architect, W. D. Kimball, who is better known for designing American Colonial Revival style houses. Most German Renaissance Revival style houses were designed by German-American architects. It is not known why Barth chose a Yankee to design his house, but it was the only house in this style that Kimball ever designed." MILWAUKEE ETHNIC HOUSES TOUR, CITY OF MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT, 1994. |
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