Waukesha in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
American Legion Home
Lain-Estberg Home
Photographed by Linda Hansen, 2009
1. American Legion Home Marker
Lain-Estberg Home
Built in 1848 by Isaac Lain, industrialist and civic leader. Next owner, 1904-1944, was Edward R. Estberg, banker and mayor. Home of American Legion since 1944. It is the County's finest example from the last century of the famous Greek Revival style of architecture. The well-known Historical American Buildings Survey in the Library of Congress attests its historical importance.
Erected 1967 by Waukesha County Historical Society. (Marker Number 34-08.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Historic American Buildings Survey series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 43° 0.572′ N, 88° 13.833′ W. Marker is in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It is on Wisconsin Avenue when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 229 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha WI 53186, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rotunda (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Waukesha City - Cutler Park (about 600 feet away); The Waukesha Freeman (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waukesha Civic Theatre (WCT) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cohn's Shoe Store (approx.
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Other markers no longer nearby. Prehistoric Indian Mound (was about 800 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Les Paul (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Courthouse Square (was approx. Ό mile away but has been confirmed missing); Club 400 (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Additional commentary.
1. History of the building
This house was built in 1848 by Isaac Lain who hand-carved the fluted pillars across the front of the house. The house is the county's finest example of Greek Revival architecture and recognized by the Historical American Buildings Survey in the Library of Congress for its importance. Lain was an industrialist who started out in insurance and banking. He later became a director of the Waukesha County Manufacturing Co. which operated the largest woolen mill in Wisconsin.
In 1904 Mrs. Lain sold the
Photographed by Linda Hansen, 2009
2. American Legion Home
Lain-Estberg Home
After Mr. Estberg died, the home was bought by the American Legion Post 8 in 1944. This post was chartered in 1919 after World War I.
Today the building is occupied by Eric's Porter-Haus restaurant.
— Submitted May 27, 2011, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2011, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,555 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on March 6, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 27, 2011, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
