Town of Farmington in Washington County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Saxonia House

Fillmore, Wisconsin

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, October 10, 2011

1. Saxonia House Marker

Inscription. The Saxonia House, a 72-foot by 32-foot rare example of German fachwerkbau (half-timber construction) architecture, is one of the largest buildings of its kind in Wisconsin. In November 1855 the new structure was christened as a brewery, a residence for the brewer's family, a social hall, and an inn serving travelers and new settlers building their own residences in the township. Located on the outskirts of the Village of Fillmore, it was part of an 89-acre tract called “Spring Brook Farm.”

Saxonia House was erected by Ernst Klessig, a brewer, who also built an adjacent brewery. The aging “cellar,” a large cave dug into a small hill with a huge stone entrance arch, still exists south of the house.

The Town of Farmington Turn-Verein Association, later called Turners, was organized here and held meetings in the building until 1867. Saxonia House also housed the local Post Office for several years.

Landmarks Commission
Washington County, Wisconsin

Erected 2000 by Washington County Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 99-001.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1855.

Location. 43° 29.884′ N, 88° 3.399′

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

W. Marker is in Town of Farmington, Wisconsin, in Washington County. It is on County Highway H 0.2 miles east of County Highway M, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 421 CTH H, Fredonia WI 53021, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Boltonville Mill (approx. 3 miles away); Boltonville Church (approx. 3 miles away); St. Peter's Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); Robert Cooley Homestead (approx. 3.7 miles away); A Date to Remember (approx. 4 miles away); Birthplace of Flag Day (approx. 4 miles away); Theodore Rietz Distillery (approx. 4.4 miles away); Lizard Mound Park (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Town of Farmington.

Also see . . . Coming to America: The Early Days of Saxonia House. Farmington Historical Society website entry (Submitted on December 26, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, October 10, 2011

2. Saxonia House Marker

Marker locaetd near the right corner of the building.

Saxonia House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, October 10, 2011

3. Saxonia House

Front door of building

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, October 10, 2011

4. Saxonia House

Rear of the building

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, October 10, 2011

5. Fachwerk

Saxonia House Restoration Project image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, October 10, 2011

6. Saxonia House Restoration Project

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,763 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.