Property Record
1455 N BROOKFIELD RD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | William R. Blodgett House |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 7773 |
| Location (Address): | 1455 N BROOKFIELD RD |
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| County: | Waukesha |
| City: | Brookfield |
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| Year Built: | 1860 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1979 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Aluminum/Vinyl Siding |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | DESCRIPTION: This two story Italianate residence, built in 1860, has a typical gabled L-plan with the L infilled with a one story wooden porch with turned posts. Notable is the decorative bracketed frieze that follows the eave line. Brackets are of simple design and are spaced approximately 15 inches apart. Windows are timmed all around in wood with pedimented tops and contain six-over-six double hung shash. Some elements, such as corner boards and porch pilasters, were lost to re-siding. Multiple additions have been made to the rear of the house; a dormer has been added in the main roof above the porch. Two original chimneys have been removed and new (20th Century) chimney has been built on the south (side) facade that pierces the eave at the roof ridge. Numerous additions were made to the rear; barns are related buildings. ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE: Although it has been resided, the overall form and detailing of the 1860 Italianate residence retains the historic character evident in the 1873 Atlas illustration. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: William R. Blodgett came here from Gorham, Ontario County, New York in 1842, and purchased 160 acres in Section 20. In 1846 he built a 24' x 30' log house which had five windows and a shingled roof. In 1860, he moved into the house currently standing on the site. A large maple tree was planted at the left side of the drive south of the house in the same year and is still standing. Blodgett was a ckerk of the Town of Brookfield for nearly 20 years as was a member of the Board of Supervisors. He taught school in District #3 and #5 in the Town of Brookfield. August and Lousia Loth bought the property after the turn of the century. The farm was known as Crystal Springs Farm after three natural springs located on the property. The Loths owned the property until 1986. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This house has significance for its association with William R. Blodgett, an early settler of the Township. Blodgett was a farmer, school teacher, Clerk of the Town Board and member of the Board of Supervisors. The B in the photo code stands for BKFD. Another map name is City Engineer 10-1-92. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Plat Maps, 1859 1873, 1891. Questers, "Historic Landmark Tour," 1991. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |