Janet, a Town of Brookfield resident, has lived in the Elmbrook area for nearly 40 years and is an avid gardener and volunteer. Her blog focuses on the city and town of Brookfield – past, present and future.
My last two blogs featured 1850s-1860s homes considered of “outstanding historical significance” by the city-sponsored 1993 inventory of homes. Readers’ responses have been favorable, so we’ll continue down this path for a while. Please enjoy these historical insights – and continue your journey across the Elmbrook area.
Part three will explore structures that were standing during the Civil War (or shortly thereafter) that were considered "notable" or of "local interest." They include farmhouses and churches and a school building, log home and cemetery.
The farmhouses include 17700 Capitol Drive (Stonewood Village) and the Griswold Farmhouse (3235 N. Brookfield Road) – both 1865.
The churches include Brookfield United Methodist Church (2400 N. Brookfield Road) from 1855 and St. John’s Lutheran Church Activity Building (18700 W. Burleigh Road) circa 1865.
A cemetery at 15600 W. North Ave. was developed in the 1850s. Over the years, the cemetery had also been named “Dixon” and “East Side” Cemetery. It is now known as “Pioneer” Cemetery.
A school building (2430 N. Brookfield Road) was built about 1851; it was a residence when the historic inventory was conducted.
A log house at 17040 Gebhardt Road built about 1859 was owned by Samuel Taylor. The log cabin is within its current structure. It is adjacent to Brookfield Central High School and was purchased by School District of Elmbrook. (Does the school district know this treasure is inside?)
Other homes were scattered across Brookfield – on North Avenue and on Burleigh, Lisbon, Pilgrim, Calhoun and Brookfield Roads.
Residence & barn 19485 Lisbon Road c.1860s
P. Carr Residence 14650 W. North Ave. c.1860s
Residence 2385 N. Brookfield Road 1865-70
Residence 2425 N. Brookfield Road c.1865-75
Residence 2455 N. Brookfield Road 1869-70
Residence 18250 Burleigh Road c.1860
Residence 4180 N. Pilgrim Road c.1860
E. E. Phillips Residence 14145 W. Lisbon Rd. c.1865
Residence 16185 Lisbon Rd. 1858-1870
Borchardt Residence 4280 N. Calhoun Road c.1865-70
Please remember, that the city of Brookfield commissioned the historic inventory, but it did not pass an historic preservation ordinance. So there’s no guarantee that these buildings are still standing. If you find sites that are no longer historic, please let me know.
