Property Record
5901-5905 W NATIONAL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Kegel's Inn |
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| Other Name: | KEGEL'S RESTAURANT |
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| Reference Number: | 9241 |
| Location (Address): | 5901-5905 W NATIONAL AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
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| Year Built: | 1933 |
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| Additions: | 1934 1942 |
| Survey Date: | 2007 |
| Historic Use: | lodging-inn |
| Architectural Style: | English Revival Styles |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stone Veneer |
| Architect: | Pfaller, Mark; Peter Gries - artist |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Kegel's Inn |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/12/2010 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 2/19/2010 |
| 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. ORIELS ON CNR AND SIDE. TUDOR ARCHED ENTRIES W/STEPPED MOULDING ABOVE. ARROW SLIT TYPE WINDOWS IN GABLES. Previously surveyed in 1980. Updated photograph submitted in 2007. Born in Austria in 1892, John T. Kegel immigrated to the United States in 1911. Four years later, he married Slovenian-born Anna Bevc and in 1918 they moved to West Allis. After working variously as a trimmer and a milkman, John was convinced by a long-time friend to open a soft drink parlor. In 1925, he and Anna established Kegel's Place in the east half of the subject building. Like many other area "soft drink parlors" during Prohibition, the Kegel family brewed bootleg beer and other liquor was also "smuggled" in. In 1933, the Kegels took over the previously rented, west half of the building and began renovations to the entire building, which included an addition to the south. The result of the significant remodeling project produced the current Old English-style, Tudor Revival edifice which is sheathed with Lannon stone. The physical addition provided for the inclusion of a restaurant business and the name was changed to Kegel's Inn. A Milwaukee Journal photograph from 1933 heralds the new building, which was designed by Milwaukee architect Mark Pfaller, as "the largest tavern built since the return of beer." The wall murals were painted by German-born artist Peter Gries, beginning in 1933 and completed by 1945. Kegel's Inn is an excellent and intact example of an English-inspired, Tudor Revival building. Furthermore, the intact, Gries murals of the interior add to the structure's historic ambience. |
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| Bibliographic References: | West Allis Star5/23/2002. Date of construction from permits, 26 May 1925 and 24 April 1933. Original permit for 5901 W. National Avenue, dated 26 May 1925, for John Kegel (contractor cited as Roy Nordstrom, cost $13,100); Permit for addition and alteration, dated 24 April 1933, Mark Pfaller architect and Oliver Wierdsma contractor, cost $15,000. This material, as written, was included in the 2002 tour booklet, "West Allis: The Early Years," 26-27, Produced by Historic Milwaukee, Inc. The booklet summary was written by HMI Research Chair Traci E. Schnell and was gleaned from research material compiled by Hugh Swofford, HMI volunteer. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |