Property Record
159 OAK ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | D. J. Jenne House |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 48907 |
| Location (Address): | 159 OAK ST |
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| County: | Green Lake |
| City: | Berlin |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1899 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| 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: | Nathan Strong Park Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 5/10/2005 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/21/2005 |
| 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 Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. Another map code is 4/19, found on the DOT map. This two and one half story house was designed in the Queen Anne style and was built in 1900 [1]. It features an irregular shaped plan configuration, a granite stone foundation, a clapboard and wood shingled exterior, a wood trim and an asphalt shingled multi-gabled roof with a tower. The tower is octagonal and capped by a conical roof. A gambrel roof distinguishes the facade, as does a screened porch. The residence, which is in fair condition, was at the time of the survey being repainted. It is related to a carriage house (GL 27/23). Architectural/Engineering Significance: This structure contributes to the significance of the Nathan Strong Park Hisoric Distirct under Criterion C as an excellent example of a large, eclectic late Vicorian house of an especially picutresque type. The house is equipped with a fine gambrel roofed carriage barn of unusually generous proportions that retains its c. 1920 garage doors. Historical Background: E. H. Jenne and his family moved to Berlin in 1894 and built this house in 1900. Mr. Jenne ran an agricultural implement and creamery business with his father D. J. Jenne. They sold carriages, buggies and a wide assortment of farm implements. Their creamery business consisted of factories in Auroraville, Clark's Lake, Fargoville, Rodney, Spring Lake and Terrill and they had a combined annual output of over 350,000 pounds of creamy butter. [1]. Their extensive network of creameries played an important role in establishing Wisconsin as a dairy state. [2]. In 1903, the station-master, Mahlon L. Cottrill, purchased the house but he sold it a year later to Chris C. Wellensgard. Mr. Wellensgard moved to Wisconsin in 1871 and later became one of Berlin's most successful and prosperous businessmen. He was a dealer in agricultural implements and he was also the president and manager of the Berlin Canning and Pickling Company and later the director of First National Bank of Berlin. [3]. In 1928, Morris Martin purchased the house and moved from his previous residence at 169 W. Noyes Street. Mr. Martin moved to Berlin in 1911 and was a partner with Martin Kileen in the construction business. At first they specialized in houses and barns but after Mr. Lileen's death, the focus was on sidewalks and concrete roads. [1]. The Martin estate sold the house in 1950 to A. F. Gelhar who used it as a rental property, until 1966 when it was sold to Philo Goodrich Jr.. [1]. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1. Gillett, "Early Houses in Berlin, Wis.," 1976 pp. 77-79. 2. "Shemanski Home To Be Toured This Weekend.", "Berlin Journal," 25 July 1991, p. 20. Victorian Walking Tours, Berlin, Wisconsin's Walking Tour of Beautiful Victorian Homes, undated. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |