click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 1161 Lower Falls Rd |
|---|---|
| County | Sheboygan |
| City/Village | Kohler |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1921 |
|---|---|
| Additions | 1923 |
| Survey Date | 1975 |
| Historic Use | house |
| Architectural Style | English Revival Styles |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | Brust And Phillip |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
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. Commanding a wooded site in a bend of the Sheboygan River, Riverbend evokes a medieval English manor house. In 1914, architect Philipp, of the Milwaukee firm of Brust and Philipp, and Walter Kohler, Sr., president of the Kohler Company, traveled to Europe to study industrial communities and gather ideas for Kohler’s planned company town. While in England, Philipp and Kohler admired the picturesque architecture and tried to recreate a bit of it in Wisconsin. To create a suitably English setting, Kohler engaged the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape-architecture firm. They laid out a driveway to the house, winding past a rustic log picnic pavilion, over a stone bridge across an artificial stream, and finally around a bowling green that forms the front lawn. Olmsted also created an artificial lily pond near the river. At the rear, a sunken formal garden enclosed by a stone wall completes the English manorial scene. In designing the house itself, Philipp combined the rich textures and colors of brick, stone, stucco, and slate to fashion a Neo-Tudor mansion. The rambling string of projecting gables, interspersed with chimneys, dormers, and bays, creates a lively visual interplay of shapes and forms. To link the Kohlers’ living space with their lushly landscaped setting, Philipp grouped leaded-glass casement windows that open onto vistas of the surrounding woodlands. Besides overseeing the development of the nearby Kohler company town, Kohler also served a term as Governor of Wisconsin in 1929. Riverbend is now a members-only resort. |
| Bibliographic References | SHEBOYGAN PRESS 6/14/1996. Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Riverbend |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Dec 04, 1980 |
| State Register Listing Date | Jan 01, 1989 |
| Contributing |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
2900 N. Lake Dr. and 2800 E. Kenwood Blvd.
93000339
Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
444 Highland Drive
01000318
Located in Kohler, Sheboygan County
608 New York Ave.
82001850
Located in Sheboygan, Sheboygan County
Boxelder
1929
Charlotte "Lottie" (Mrs. Walter) Kohler posing standing with her forearms resting on the branch of a large, spreading tree on the grounds of the Kohler estate "Riverbend." Her husband, Walter Kohle...
