Kenosha County Intensive Survey Report
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Intensive Survey of Rural Kenosha County Including the towns of Somers, Paris, Brighton, Wheatland, and Randall By Legacy Architecture, Inc. 605 Erie Avenue, Suite 101 Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53081 For Wisconsin Historical Society State Historic Preservation Office 816 State Street Madison, Wisconsin 53706 2019 Acknowledgments The following persons or organizations assisted in completing this project: Legacy Architecture, Inc. Jennifer L. Lehrke, Principal Historic Preservation Consultant Kenosha County Historical Society & Rowan Davidson, Historic Preservation Consultant Kenosha History Center Robert Short, Historic Preservation Consultant Jonathan Martens, Exhibition & Collections Gail Biederwolf, Administrative Services Coordinator Specialist Wisconsin Historical Society Others State Historic Preservation Office Kathy Emery Daina Penkiunas, State Historic Preservation Officer Jackie Klapproth Peggy Veregin, National Register Coordinator Chris Kraidich Joseph R. DeRose, Survey & Registration Historian Rachel Muhlenbeck Amy Wyatt, Historic Preservation Specialist Callie Rucker Charles Soper Kenosha County Robin Therese Tom Beaudry, Information Technology Deborah Vos Andy Buehler, Director, Department of Planning & Development Ben Fiebelkorn, Senior Land Use Planner Patricia Pendleton, GIS Coordinator Scott Schutze, Director, County Land Information Office Cheryl Schroeder, Office of the Register of Deeds The activity that is the subject of this intensive survey report has been financed entirely with the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office Historic Preservation Fund. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Wisconsin Historical Society, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Wisconsin Historical Society. All photographs contained in this report were taken by Legacy Architecture, Inc. unless otherwise noted. 1 Abstract This report documents an architectural and historical intensive survey of resources located within the boundaries of the unincorporated communities of Kenosha County, Wisconsin, as of 2019. A reconnaissance survey of these areas was conducted by the principal and assistant investigators as the first part of the survey. After which, a research effort was conducted to ascertain the architectural and historical significance of the resources identified during the reconnaissance survey. The resulting products of the project were produced according to standards set by the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Division of Historic Preservation and include the following: Intensive Survey Report The intensive survey report includes a summary of the research and a brief history of the communities. It provides a historical context for the evaluation of historic resources and serves as a means for identifying significant properties, farmsteads, and complexes eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. It also contains recommendations for future survey and research needs, priorities for National Register listing, and strategies for historic preservation. Copies of the report will be held at the Kenosha County Center, the Kenosha Public Library, and the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison. Survey and District Maps Survey maps indicate all previously and newly surveyed properties as well as properties already listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Farmstead and complex maps identify boundaries and all resources within them. These maps are included in the Survey Results Chapter. Electronic Documents The Wisconsin Historical Society’s website contains an electronic database, called the Architecture and Historic Inventory (AHI), for all inventoried properties. Also, an electronic copy of this report is saved on compact disc and held at the Kenosha County Courthouse. 2 Table of Contents Contents Page Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................1 Abstract ....................................................................................................................2 Table of Contents .....................................................................................................3 Chapter 1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................5 Chapter 2 Survey Methodology ................................................................................................7 Chapter 3 Historical Overview ...............................................................................................15 Chapter 4 Government............................................................................................................23 Chapter 5 Settlement ..............................................................................................................27 Chapter 6 Agriculture .............................................................................................................31 Chapter 7 Architecture............................................................................................................35 Chapter 8 Education ...............................................................................................................97 Chapter 9 Religion ................................................................................................................105 Chapter 10 Arts & Literature ..................................................................................................109 Chapter 11 Commerce ............................................................................................................111 Chapter 12 Planning & Landscape Architecture ....................................................................113 Chapter 13 Recreation & Entertainment ................................................................................117 Chapter 14 Bibliography ........................................................................................................123 Chapter 15 Survey Results .....................................................................................................127 Chapter 16 Recommendations ................................................................................................179 Chapter 17 Notes ....................................................................................................................185 Chapter 18 Appendix ..............................................................................................................189 Income-Producing Property Tax Credit Program Brochure Guidelines for Planning Historic Preservation Tax Credit Projects in Wisconsin 3 This page intentionally left blank. 4 1 Introduction The Wisconsin Historical Society’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) funded an intensive survey of architecturally and historically significant properties in rural Kenosha County including the towns of Somers, Paris, Brighton, Randall, and Wheatland. The purpose of this survey was not to write a definitive history of Kenosha County, but rather to provide an overview of the history of the region with specific emphasis on a series of themes such as Government, Settlement, Agriculture, Architecture, Education, Religion, Arts & Literature, Commerce, Planning and Landscape Architecture, and Recreation and Entertainment. The major objective of the project was to identify individual resources, complexes, and farmsteads that are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and, therefore, eligible for federal and state historic tax credits. The availability of these financial incentives makes these resources, complexes, and historic districts attractive for reinvestment and rehabilitation for continued use. The survey was conducted by Legacy Architecture, Inc. during a period of six months, beginning in March 2019 and concluding in August 2019, according to guidelines described in SHPO’s Survey Manual. The survey consisted of four major work components: 1) reconnaissance survey, 2) historic research, 3) evaluation of resources, and 4) intensive survey report. The Intensive Survey of Rural Kenosha County identified approximately 418 resources of architectural and historical interest, including 12 individual resources, five complexes, and three farmsteads that are eligible for listing in the of National Register of Historic Places. Copies of the report and any associated work elements are held at the Wisconsin Historical Society State Preservation Office in Madison, Wisconsin. 5 This page intentionally left blank. 6 2 Survey Methodology Introduction The Wisconsin Historical Society’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) hired Legacy Architecture, Inc., an architectural and historic preservation consulting firm based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to conduct an intensive survey of architecturally and historically significant resources within the boundaries of the unincorporated communities of the towns of Somers, Paris, Brighton, Wheatland, and Randall. The major objective of the project was to identify individual resources, farmsteads, and complexes of architectural or historical significance that are potentially eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The survey was conducted by Legacy Architecture, Inc. during a period of six months, beginning in March 2019 and concluding in August 2019, according to guidelines described in SHPO’s Survey Manual. The survey consisted