Property Record
8012-8014 W NATIONAL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Frank Jirachek Harness Shop & residence |
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| Reference Number: | 9255 |
| Location (Address): | 8012-8014 W NATIONAL AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
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| Year Built: | 1897 |
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| Additions: | 1924 |
| Survey Date: | 20072017 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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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: | Unconfirmed information from a local walking tour: Frank Jirachek, a harness maker, lived here from approximately 1905-1920. The next owner was Ben Brown who lived here from about 1920 until around 1930. He converted the building to commercial use. The next owner was Mrs. Magdeline Kramer from approximately 1930-1935. Pearl's Antiques was located in the building in 1980. Due to a required level of integrity associated with the 2007 community survey, this building was not resurveyed at that time. 2017 survey information: This structure is comprised of two periods of building; a rear front-gabled, structure (circa 1897) rises an additional story beyond the two-story, flat-roofed brick portion (1924) that immediately fronts the street. The first floor of the entrance elevation includes a storefront with a recessed entry, 1950s-era display windows and (an obscured) overhead transom. A single door at the far right (east) with a transom provides access to the building’s second-floor apartments. The second floor carries four double-hung sash, as well as a single example. Rising above the brick is a half-story that is sheathed with vinyl. This structure is identified as having been built in 1897. The first known use of the structure was as the harness shop of Frank Jirachek, with his residence located above. A 1904 advertisement in the local city directory indicates he also offered harness whips, turf goods, trunks and traveling bags. Jirachek remained in the building until circa 1916, after which it served as a grocery store. Following the 1924 addition to the front of the subject building, the Milwaukee County Bank moved in shortly after its incorporation in 1925. Opening day is identified as 15 August 1925 and first in line to establish an account for his daughter Hattie, was Max Stern, who operated his dry goods business on the next block. The bank moved shortly thereafter to W. Greenfield Avenue. Beginning in 1937, the first floor was home to the Sunnyside Restaurant run by Edward Kopesky through at least 1950. The building’s signage indicates that it is currently occupied by Superior Siding and Windows, Inc. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Citations associated with the 2017 survey: Assessor’s records for 8012-8014 W. National Avenue; Permit records include citations regarding the restaurant that are dated 20 May 1937 as well as in 1947; West Allis City Directory, 1904, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1936, 1940, 1950; Peg Park, “Roving Peddler First to Blaze Trail in Forming WA Jewish Assembly,” West Allis Star, 6 February 1956. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |