September 29, 2021 – West Bend, WI – One of the oldest buildings in West Bend finally met its fate as the iconic West Bend Brewery office building was leveled on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
The mouth on a big yellow excavator bit into the back of the building Tuesday morning exposing the V-shaped timbers that supported the roof. That building, where for years dating to the 1850s men and beer vendors lined up for paychecks, was slowly pulled apart as afternoon traffic passed on N. Main Street.
The decorative front of the building constructed in 1856 in a Greek Revival style featured a stone foundation and arched entryway.
The building was extremely decorative and a description in wisconsinhistory.org used words like “decorative brickwork distinguishes the cornice and wide brick eave returns” and “scroll cut brackets, each detailed with a pendant.”
Windows were described as having “one-over-one panes and projecting sills.”
The front entrance was “embellished by a massive round arched and moulded brick opening.”
Now only memories and pictures remain. Below is a painting by local artist Eileen Eckert.
Click HERE for more stories about the West Bend Brewery
“The West Bend Brewery, S. F. Mayer & Co., proprietors, was built in 1848 by B. Goetter” according to Wisconsin Genealogy Trails. Click HERE to read more about Industry & Trades.
It is a pity when these old building are torn down for “ something new.” We lose so much history and character and a connection to a better past. We replace it with cold concrete, steel, and glass all in an effort to be “modern” in our rush into the future we often destroy our past, something we will regret but never be able to undo. These old buildings can be “ repurposed” or made new with a little thought and care and would add to our City Scape rather than create another 2001 monolith. Next time let’s think before we destroy what’s left of downtown
Well, this indicative of West Bend. Easily a historical site AND could have been integrated into the new construction. I knew this was coming and wanted to fight for it I knew money over landmark would win out. We did manage to save a railroad station at one point.
Just like when Veterens Ave. was re-done, instead of MOWA being built alittle bit further East creating a parkway along the river. That was just dumb. So sorry to see that Greek rival building go. West Bend a Hodge Podge of development.
Don’t disagree. We really don’t need more multi-family facilities in this city.