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.
This series is based on the Historical Inventory the city of Brookfield commissioned in 1993. While the intent was to develop a historic preservation ordinance, none was adopted. At that time, these outstanding and notable properties were still standing.
As you drive around the Brookfield area, help solve the mystery of whether these sites still exist during the current era of tear downs and mega-mansions.
Construction continued near Brookfield Junction and ventured westward. Two commercial buildings at 2910 N. Brookfield Road and 2965 N. Brookfield Road joined others about 1920. A home at 18320 Hoffman Ave. was built in 1927. A home at 18320 Hoffman Ave. was built in 1927.
In 1929, two properties were constructed for Robert J. Kieckhefer: his home and a Finnish log cabin ("Pistaka"). Their respective addresses are 19160 Still Point Trail and roughly 193rd and North Ave. Remarkably, a nearby Indian village was found during construction. Both homes were considered “outstanding” by the 1993 historic inventory.
A home deemed “notable” was built at 19600 Gebhardt Road in 1927. Sitting along Bluemound Rd., near Calhoun, was the old Radio Transmission Station (1927). The tower had been a city fixture for many years. The city fathers and many area residents are now awaiting the VK development.
Moving eastward, the historically outstanding Crowley Residence at 15660 Pomona Road was built about 1929. Two other outstanding homes were built at 14360 Greenfield Ave. (1923) and 14040 W. North Ave. (1928).
A 1920 hunting cabin was built at 1020 Tower Hill Drive. Further east were homes at 325 N. Westmoor Dr. (1928) and 370 N. Elm Grove Road (1922).
Three properties were built near Lilly Road. The homes at 14360 Greenfield Ave. (1923) and 14040 W. North Ave. (1928) were listed as outstanding on the historic inventory. The 1926 home at 2345 Lilly Road was considered notable.
If you know anything about these sites or the families that owned them, please send an email to JW-BLOG@wi.rr.com.
