Gierach Smokehouse
History of the Smokehouse
The Smokehouse was originally constructed during the 1860's on the Gierach farm on the northeast corner of Bonniwell Road and Wasaukee Road.
It is constructed of logs with a chinking of clay and straw, similar to the Baeseman log cabin, and has a stone foundation. Logs were cut to the desired length. They were then scribed and notched to accommodate the logs they would be joined with. The open spaces were filled with chinking to make a tight seal. As the logs dried, more chinking could be added as gaps appeared. The roof was finished with hand made wood shingles.
What was a Smokehouse used for?The Smokehouse was used to treat meats, like beef, pork and sausage, with high amounts of wood smoke. This treatment not only produced a desirable flavor, it preserved meat for future use. Typically damp apple wood shavings or sawdust was used to produce the smoke. Only wood fuel that would smolder and smoke was used in the smokehouse. Flames would damage the meat. It took meat 16-24 hours at 200-220 degrees Fahrenheit to be fully cured.
The Smokehouse was moved to this location in the late 1960's.Erected by Trinity Historical Society. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
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Location. 43° 14.044′ N, 88° 2.791′ W. Marker is in Mequon, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County. Marker can be reached from Church Place, 0.1 miles south of Freistadt Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in the Trinity Freistadt Historical Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mequon WI 53097, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trinity Horse Shed Reconstruction (a few steps from this marker); Vogt Woodshed/Radue Gas Engine (a few steps from this marker); Radue Chicken Coop (a few steps from this marker); Cemetery Outhouse (a few steps from this marker); Baeseman Log Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Mueller Machine Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Klumb-Beuscher Bake Oven (within shouting distance of this marker); Trinity School Woodshed (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mequon.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
