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. 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

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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.

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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally,

Isham Day House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 26, 2014

2. Isham Day House

it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 walking distance of this marker: Wisconsin's German Settlers (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Thiensville (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry Kolwey Homesite (approx. 0.3 miles away); Loppnow Drug Store (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thiensville Recreation Parlor (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bublitz Store (approx. 0.4 miles away); Maas-Bublitz Residence (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Commercial House (approx. half a mile away).

City of Mequon Landmark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 26, 2014

3. City of Mequon Landmark Marker

Mequon Landmark 22 Yankee Settler’s Cottage C.1839

Isham Day House National Register Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 26, 2014

4. Isham Day House National Register Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,424 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 27, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.