This 8 sided, five-story house of solid brick construction was built in the early 1850's by pioneer John Richards. It is the best example in Wisconsin of an unusual architectural design which was in vogue briefly before the Civil War. It was claimed to be Wisconsin's largest single family residence when its 57 rooms, closets and halls were completed. Most interesting feature is the cantilever spiral staircase.

Photograph from the estate of Arthur H. Schaefer © Phillip T. Schaefer

This barn built by an early settler in 1853 was used by regional farmers driving cattle to the Milwaukee market over the Milwaukee-Watertown Plank Road. It was moved from the Plank Road area east to this site in 1963 and restored by the Watertown Historical Society.

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment