House Confidential
Jim Wiechmann’s Gothic Mansion
The real estate tycoon and owner of Stevens Point Brewery has one of the grandest mansions in town.
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The real estate tycoon and owner of Stevens Point Brewery has one of the grandest mansions in town. Back to the full article.
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Categories: House Confidential
In my days at UWSP in the 70’s the slogan for Point beer was “If you’re out of Point, you’re out of town”.
Thanks for the article! Coincidentally, just a few days ago I was looking on the web for information on this house. I used to drive by it frequently and thought it one of the most interesting homes around.
Thanks for your comment, Steve. Jim Wiechmann had this home in his sights since 1960. It was occupied for years by Mrs. Wald. I was so curious about the place in the late 1970s that I knocked on the door asking if I could mow the lawn, or prune the shrubs, but she was kind of out of it, I am afraid.
Michael,
I had the good fortune to grow up in one of those five Lake Drive homes your refer to that were built before 1898. That house was designed by Ferry & Clas and built the same year as the Milwaukee Public Library, also by F&C.
Too bad you don’t reference the architect on Wiechmann’s place. I believe it was Otto Buemming, who specialized in that sort of Victorian wedding cakes style. His work can be seen throughout the Northpoint-North and South historic districts and of course in the Concordia neighborhood and Brewer’s Hill.
The Goldberg house was a decrepit mess throughout my childhood, when , as you note, Mrs Wald was in residence. Nonetheless, it was known locally as the “Whatahouse.”
Jim Wiechmann has been a faithful steward of this local treasure for many years. He is to be commended.
Dear Bill Kissinger:
The architecture is credited to John A. Moller and George C Ehlers. Pardon my oversight. I will include architect names, when they can be determined, in the future.
Michael,
Thanks for the correction. It gives me an excuse to correct myself, since I meant Herman Buemming, anyway. Moller & Ehlers is a pretty obscure credit. To my knowledge not among the most fashionable of choices. Based on your profile of Goldberg, probably someone he could blackmail.
I actually used to live in the carriage house when my mom rented it for about two years. It was charming and comfortable but in a little dit of disrepair (it was built in the 19th century so that is to be expected). The floors slanted but I loved the place. I do miss it. The carriage house had an awesome carriage lift which sure helped moving in and out and just having a little fun riding it up and down!
Love this –
“Now it is but one part of his vast domain.”
What fun to find the information on this mansion! Attorney BM Goldberg and his wife Loretta bought a house from
Rodney Gillett, founder of Gillett Wisconsin. He lived in Gillett about 4 years, and was involved in serveral “incidences” according to the local papers! His house burned to the ground and he sold the land to my Grandfather Walter W. Smith.
The abstract reads like a soap opera! I researched his escapades in Wisconsin, and put together a good size booklet.
He eventually moved to Duluth MN, and practiced law there. He died December 19 1927 in Duluth.
Hope there is a tour offered of the Milwauee home sometime soon!