Mequon in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Isham Day House
Rotary Riverwalk - a joint project of the Mequon and Thiensville Rotary Clubs
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 26, 2014
1. Isham Day House Marker
Inscription.
Isham Day House. Rotary Riverwalk - a joint project of the Mequon and Thiensville Rotary Clubs. In the late 1830’s a number of settlers moved to this area from the eastern states of the US. Known as “Yankees”, they were attracted by the government’s sale of land at $1.25 per acre. In 1835 land east of Range Line Road was put up for sale, but many “squatters” established claims west of Range Line Road hoping to be able to later buy their land. Among these squatters was the Isham Day family who arrived in 1836. After building a cabin on the west side of the trail that is now Cedarburg Road, the Day family constructed this cottage in 1839 – the same year the government offered land for sale west of Range Line Road. The Days could not afford to pay off their construction material loan and purchase the land so they were forced to vacate their home. The Days’ new cottage and land were sold to a New York speculator, George B. Warren, who never saw the property before reselling it. , The “Isham Day House” is the oldest structure on its original foundation in Ozaukee County. Over the years, portions of this family home also served as the “Mequon River Post Office”, the Xavier Holdenried harness shop, and Charles Zimmermann’s printing shop. The condemned building was purchased by the City of Mequon in 1989 with plans to demolish the home and construct a park at this site. When the history of the building became known, the the cottage was restored to its original condition by the Mequon Historical Society in the 1990’s.
In the late 1830’s a number of settlers moved to this area from the eastern states of the US. Known as “Yankees”, they were attracted by the government’s sale of land at $1.25 per acre. In 1835 land east of Range Line Road was put up for sale, but many “squatters” established claims west of Range Line Road hoping to be able to later buy their land. Among these squatters was the Isham Day family who arrived in 1836. After building a cabin on the west side of the trail that is now Cedarburg Road, the Day family constructed this cottage in 1839 – the same year the government offered land for sale west of Range Line Road. The Days could not afford to pay off their construction material loan and purchase the land so they were forced to vacate their home. The Days’ new cottage and land were sold to a New York speculator, George B. Warren, who never saw the property before reselling it.
The “Isham Day House” is the oldest structure on its original foundation in Ozaukee County. Over the years, portions of this family home also served as the “Mequon River Post Office”, the Xavier Holdenried harness shop, and Charles Zimmermann’s printing shop. The condemned building was purchased by the City of Mequon in 1989 with plans to demolish the home and construct a park at this site. When
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the history of the building became known, the the cottage was restored to its original condition by the Mequon Historical Society in the 1990’s.
Erected 2013 by The Mequon and Thiensville Rotary Clubs.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 43° 13.42′ N, 87° 59.019′ W. Marker is in Mequon, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County. Marker is on Cedarburg Road, ¼ mile north of Mequon Road (Wisconsin Highway 167), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11330 N Cedarburg Rd, Mequon WI 53097, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 579 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 27, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.