This file part of www.watertownhistory.org website
Maerzke Family
and
Oscar Maerzke Home
809 N Fourth
Frederick
Maerzke, wagon-maker, Sixth Ward, Dodge Co.; born in Prussia March 21, 1827;
came to America in 1852; lived in Milwaukee one year and a half; came to
Watertown in 1854; commenced wagon-maker’s trade when only 14 years of age; he
was five terms Alderman of the Sixth Ward; he was a member of the I.O.O.F. On
Buried
in Oak
Hill Cemetery.
Derived
in part from “The History of Jefferson
County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:
Western Historical Company, 1879.
Oscar Maerzke Home
A Brief History of the Oscar Maerzke House
This
Eclectic Craftsman was built for Watertown native Oscar Maerzke in 1912. A unique example of the Arts & Crafts
style, it has many elements that make it a beautiful home.
The
open floor-plan on the main level consists of the Living Room, Dining Room,
Kitchen, Bath, and large foyer. Original
stained oak woodwork and hardwood flooring are in the Living Room and Dining
Room. The east wall of the Dining Room
has an original built-in 16ft oak china hutch with mirror and glass doors. The Living Room, Dining Room, and entry have
ornate, custom painted cast-iron radiators.
The Dining Room has leaded glass oriel windows. The Living Room and foyer have a
"tulip" design leaded glass windows.
The foyer features an oak stairway with 3 original stained glass windows
at the landing. There are 9˝ ft ceilings
throughout.
Upstairs
includes a large landing with linen closet, three bedrooms with walk-in
closets, and bathroom. Front bedroom
features large bay window with leaded glass transom and 2 double hung units. Hardwood floors in bedrooms and landing.
This
home was built in 1912 for Oscar Maerzke, a widely known Watertown
resident. He at one time operated the
Maerzke Pigeon Hatchery and later was partnered in the business with former
Watertown mayor Charles Lutovsky. The
business eventually became the Watertown
Squab Company [1107 N Fourth]. Oscar
was a native of Watertown and was born on September 1, 1874.
Oscar
lived in this neighborhood at various locations. City directory entries show him in 1902 at
605 East Division Street, 1907-1912 at 811 North Fourth, and taking occupancy
in 1913 at 809 North Fourth. Oscar had
this home built while he lived next door at 811 N. Fourth. He lived here with his wife and two
daughters. Oscar lived here from 1912
until his death in 1944, at the age of 69.
This
unique home was from all indications a custom or customized home made for the
Maerzke's. Many of the framing members
and trim pieces have the last name written on them, a common practice when a
home was built specifically for someone.
From conversations with an architect from the State of Wisconsin,
Division of Historical Preservation, we learned that this is the only home of
its kind of which they are aware. The
term that was used was "Eclectic Craftsman-style house".
The
home is in the proposed North Fourth Street Historic District. When an Intensive Architectural Survey was
done by the city of Watertown in 1986, this home was in a state of severe
disrepair. The home was purchased in
1989, and restored back to the original level of craftsmanship.
Located
next to Blumenfeld Home
