Brookfield in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Dousman Inn
Photographed By Linda Hansen, July 2020
1. The Dousman Inn
Michael Dousman operated it as an inn from 1843 until his death in 1854. His heirs sold the inn and farm to a neighbor, Daniel Brown, a Connecticut Yankee, who ran the inn from 1857-1872). In 1873, Fredrick Zimdars, a farmer, bought the property. He sold it to Charles Dunkel. His descendants owned it from 1887-1977 when it was given to the City of Brookfield by John Behling, a grandson. Following its acquisition, it was moved to this site, which is still part of the original tract of land owned by Michael Dousman.
The Greek Revival architecture of this stately structure has placed it on the Historic American Buildings Survey. John Behling had it placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been fully restored and furnished as a stagecoach inn. It is operated as a museum and maintained by volunteers from the Elmbrook Historical Society.
Erected 2019 by Waukesha County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The William Donaldson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodside One-Room School Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); City of Brookfield (approx. 1½ miles away); Caroline Quiner "Ma" Ingalls Birthplace (approx. 2.4 miles away); Hamlet of Calhoun (approx. 2.6 miles away); Calhoun (approx. 2.6 miles away); New Berlin Hills Golf Course (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookfield.
More about this marker. Funded by the Elmbrook Historical Society and the Eileen M. Kroening Trust.
Additional commentary.
1. Additional History
Michael Dousman had settled in Mackinac, Mich., in 1791 after coming from Pittsburgh to trade furs with the Indians. He then traveled to Wisconsin and settled in the Brookfield area.
In 1843 he built a house with his son Talbot on 320 acres on what is now Bluemound Road and Watertown
Photographed By Paul F, July 14, 2010
2. Dousman-Dunkel Behling Inn Marker (Former marker here)
In the 1850s a plank road was bult near the home called the Watertown Plank Road wih a toll house just a short distance away. The home became a stagecoach stop for refreshment halfway between Milwaukee and Waukesha. Being quite a showcase, the house became the social center in the early days of the territory. People came to visit just to see it.
The land was also used as the first scientifically operated farm in Wisconsin. Ninety acres were planted in crops while the rest of the land was used for raising thoroughbred horses, purebred cattle, hogs and trout.
Michael died in 1854, and the house and land were sold to Daniel Brown. The property was again sold in 1873, to Frederick Zimdars. In 1884 Charles Dunkel purchased it.
Charles called it the Dunkel Inn or Halfway House. It remained in the Dunkel family for 86 years. He renovated it in 1964.
John Behling, also a Dunkel descendant, owned the home until 1981.
The building style is Greek Revival with post-colonial influences and is called "seaboard colonial." It was added to the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1938 and the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s.
In later years, the Halfway House was operated as a restaurant.
By this time, it was apparent that the building needed to be either demosished or moved because of all the
Photographed By Paul F, July 14, 2010
3. Rear side of Inn
The Elmbrook Historical Society became responsible for refurbishing and redecorating the home to the 1850s-period style. In 2002 the Society changed the building's name to the Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum. It is now open for the public to visit.
This is one of only three stagecoach inns to survive today. The other two are the Wade House in Greenbush, preserved by the Kohler Foundation, and Hawks Inn in Delafield, which was saved by a preservation campaign.
— Submitted April 27, 2012, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, March 30, 2021
4. The Dousman Inn Marker
The new Dousman Inn Marker in the position of the old marker.
Photographed By Paul F, July 14, 2010
5. Front side of Inn.
Photographed By Paul F, July 16, 2010
6. Dousman-Dunkel Behling Inn NRHP Marker
National Register plaque
Photographed By Paul F, July 16, 2010
7. Entrance sign to Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,158 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on June 20, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on August 11, 2020, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on June 7, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 16, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
