Property Record
W 165 N 8944-46 GRAND AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | MRS. J. B. NEHS DUPLEX |
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| Reference Number: | 8048 |
| Location (Address): | W 165 N 8944-46 GRAND AVE |
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| County: | Waukesha |
| City: | Menomonee Falls |
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| Year Built: | 1892 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1985 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Two Story Cube |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Asbestos |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Description: The Mrs. J. B. Nehs Duplex is a two story cube distinguished by a truncated hip roof and a front, attic story gabled wall dormer. Wooden exterior walls were covered by aluminum and asphalt/asbestos modern siding. The residence was built by Adolph Nehf in 1892. [A, B]. Architectural/Engineering Significance: The Mrs. J. B. Nehs duplex is not architecturally significant, because of the addition of aluminum and asbestos-aspahalt modern siding to the exterior. Historical Background: After the death of Jesse B. Nehs in 1890, his widow Sarah Nehs, erected the duplex on Grand Avenue in 1892. [1, 3, 4]. She located her residence in the Nehs addition platted by her husband in 1886. This location became a residential area for Menomonee Falls businessmen in the 1890's into the lonely twentieth century. [2]. Jesse Nehs settled in Menomonee Falls in 1849. [3, 8]. In 1851, he platted fifty lots in the original village of Menomonee Falls at the four corners and developed the water power potential in the village. [8, 2]. His grist mill became a central enterprise in the emerging village and remained a leading business until the turn of the century. In 1856, he erected a large stone residence in the village which was sold between 1890 and 1892, before his wife's move to Grand Avenue. [3, 7]. Nehs retired in 1881, leaving his business to Leppen and Schlafer [3, 5, 6, 7]. Sarah Nehs, who occupied the duplex in 1892 remained its owner through 1900. [4]. Although it is not clear when Mrs. Nehs transferred the property, it remained in the family [4], because it was owned by Jenny Nehs in 1940. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Architectural References: A. "Hartford (WI) Press," 12 August 1892. B. Margaret Nehs Kuphael, interview with Allen Joherson, 15 August 1984. Historical References: 1. "Hartford Press," 1892 (8/12). 2. Johnson, 1985: 18, 89-91. 3. "Waukesha Freeman," 1890 (1/9). 4. Waukesha County (Tax Assessment Records) 1896, 1900, 1940. 5. Excelsin Publishing Company, 1894: 310, 373-74. 6. "Waukesha Freeman," 1890 (1/9); "Menomonee Falls News," 1924 (5/16). 7. "Hartford Press," 1892 (12/23). 8. Butterfield, 1880: 875, 985-86. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |