Posted: Sept. 3, 2009

 

Edward F. and Erna M. Pritzlaff Residence

 

4725 North Wilshire Road

This is an attractive Lannon stone residence of English Tudor Revival style, with half timbering at the face of some of the gables, wooden lintels over the principal windows, and a slate roof. It was built for Edward Franz and Erna M. Pritzlaff in 1925/26. The original brick and stone residence was 2-1/2 stories with 10 rooms. It was designed by architect Harry Bogner and constructed by George J. Dunn of 615 Downer Avenue. A two story addition was added for the Pritzlaffs several years later by builder Ernest J. Hahn & Sons. The property is defined by a stone fence, which adds to the charm of this site. The home has been well maintained by past and present owners with no major alternations made to the many significant details created by master craftsmen of the period.

Edward Franz Pritzlaff was a buyer for the family hardware business at the time the residence was built. He was born on February 20, 1895 and attended college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he graduated in 1919. He eventually became president of the John Pritzlaff Hardware Co.

The Pritzlaff Hardware Co. was a significant Milwaukee business. It was founded by Edward’s grandfather, John Pritzlaff, along with August F. Suelflohn and Henry J. Nazro in 1850. The company kept growing and moving until it became the largest hardware store in Milwaukee and the entire region, employing 400 people.

When John Pritzlaff died in 1900, his son Frederick C. Pritzlaff took over the company and served in this capacity from 1900 to 1951. His son Edward began working for the concern following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin. The 1930 census reports Edward F. Pritzlaff at age 35 as a hardware buyer, living in this home with his wife Erna M., and children Dorothy E. (age 3) and Frederice C. (age 2). Helen Thoenike (age 24) and Gerda M. Koch (age 26) are listed as residing in the home as servants. The Pritzlaffs lived in this until approximately 1960, when they moved to Hartland, Wisconsin.

The house was designed by Milwaukee architect Harry Bogner. Bogner was born in Warwick, Rhone Island and educated in Europe. A long-time Milwaukee architect, Bogner was a former president of the Milwaukee Art Institute and in 1910 designed their building, which was remodeled from a lumber office at 772 N. Jefferson Street. His firm, Bogner and Irgens of West Allis, designed the West Allis City Hall, which includes a small art gallery. Bogner designed, along with architect Walter Judell, the Vogel House at 3510 North Lake Drive in Shorewood. This Georgian home, built in 1923 for Frederick Vogel Jr. president of the Pfister & Vogel Tanning Company, was declared a historical landmark by Milwaukee County.

Note: Please respect the rights of private property owners when viewing this or any of properties listed in this column.

 

---

 

About "Preserving Our Past"

The Village of Whitefish Bay is a community of residential neighborhoods, punctuated with an attractive walking district of fine stores, excellent schools and vibrant houses of worship. It is filled with homes and other buildings that are architecturally rich, well-designed and maintained, and diverse in character.

Its residents have contributed much to the broad cultural, political, economic and social history of the area. And its residents are interested in maintaining their connections with an historic past.

To help maintain these connections, the Historic Preservation Commission is in the process of identifying buildings and historic sites that it believes may be architecturally significant or historic. On a weekly basis we will feature a building or site from our inventory.

 

• Archive: Read about the village's other historic buildings
• From the commission: About our inventory and a request for help
• More more information: Historic designation application and procedures online