The open floor-plan on the main level consists of the Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Bath, and large foyer. Original stained oak woodwork and hardwood flooring are in the Living Room & Dining Room. The east wall of the Dining Room has an original built-in 16ft oak china hutch with mirror and glass doors. The Living Room, Dining Room, and entry have ornate, custom painted cast-iron radiators. The Dining Room has leaded glass oriel windows. The Living Room and foyer have a "tulip" design leaded glass windows. The foyer features an oak stairway with 3 original stained glass windows at the landing. The 1st floor bathroom has a toilet, sink, and shower stall with tile trim. 9½ ft ceilings throughout. The large gourmet kitchen was custom-designed to complement the existing features of the house. The updated kitchen features Grabill cabinets, Mexican Saltillo tile floor with in-floor heat, Kohler/Moen sink fixtures, Vulcan stainless steel professional 6-burner range with external exhaust hood, ASKO dishwasher, breakfast bar seating, custom woodworking, 3 new windows. Upstairs includes a large landing with linen closet, three bedrooms with walk-in closets, and 9x16 custom bathroom. Remodeled bathroom includes new sink, toilet, tiled shower, 6ft whirlpool tub, new window and skylight, and tile floor with in-floor radiant heat. All double-hung bedroom windows have been replaced with energy-efficient custom units. Front bedroom features large bay window with leaded glass transom and 2 double hung units. Hardwood floors in bedrooms and landing. Exterior of home has been completely repainted and trimmed. Custom landscaping includes evergreens, flowering shrubs, many perennials and bulbs, raised-bed vegetable garden with raspberry bushes, rhubarb plants, and several herbs. Kitchen overlooks side yard garden, driveway, and private patio area. Wrap-around porch has new stairs. Newly sided garage features new windows. Home and garage were re-roofed in '90. New windows have combination storms/screens. Updated utilities include 200amp electrical service, energy efficient boiler (hydronic heat) with manifold for zoned heat, water filtration system, updated plumbing in kitchen and baths. Roof replaced in 1990, many windows in 1999. All the "major" renovations have been done! Renovations done "sympathetically" to coordinate with existing structure, yet brought up to today's standards. Within walking distance of Riverside Park, Riverside Middle School and Douglas Elementary, and downtown Watertown. Fourth of July Parade goes in front of house every other year! Riverside Park is where Riverfest is held annually each August. Walk to the park and enjoy the music! Conveniently located in Watertown, Wisconsin, just 35 minutes from Milwaukee and Madison. We are within commuting distance of the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Milwaukee. If you are a sportsman, we are just south of the world famous Horicon Marsh. Area shopping includes the Johnson Creek Premium Outlets and The Market Shops. |
This Eclectic Craftsman was built for Watertown native Oscar Maerzke in 1912. A unique example of the Arts & Crafts style, it has many elements that make it a beautiful home. The residence has been renovated and restored with a great deal of care to maintain the original quality of construction. We hope that you enjoy your visit! For more information, please contact us! |
The open floor-plan on the main level consists of the Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Bath, and large foyer. Original stained oak woodwork and hardwood flooring are in the Living Room & Dining Room. The east wall of the Dining Room has an original built-in 16ft oak china hutch with mirror and glass doors. The Living Room, Dining Room, and entry have ornate, custom painted cast-iron radiators. The Dining Room has leaded glass oriel windows. The Living Room and foyer have a "tulip" design leaded glass windows. The foyer features an oak stairway with 3 original stained glass windows at the landing. The 1st floor bathroom has a toilet, sink, and shower stall with tile trim. 9½ ft ceilings throughout. The large gourmet kitchen was custom-designed to complement the existing features of the house. The updated kitchen features Grabill cabinets, Mexican Saltillo tile floor with in-floor heat, Kohler/Moen sink fixtures, Vulcan stainless steel professional 6-burner range with external exhaust hood, ASKO dishwasher, breakfast bar seating, custom woodworking, 3 new windows. Upstairs includes a large landing with linen closet, three bedrooms with walk-in closets, and 9x16 custom bathroom. Remodeled bathroom includes new sink, toilet, tiled shower, 6ft whirlpool tub, new window and skylight, and tile floor with in-floor radiant heat. All double-hung bedroom windows have been replaced with energy-efficient custom units. Front bedroom features large bay window with leaded glass transom and 2 double hung units. Hardwood floors in bedrooms and landing. Exterior of home has been completely repainted and trimmed. Custom landscaping includes evergreens, flowering shrubs, many perennials and bulbs, raised-bed vegetable garden with raspberry bushes, rhubarb plants, and several herbs. Kitchen overlooks side yard garden, driveway, and private patio area. Wrap-around porch has new stairs. Newly sided garage features new windows. Home and garage were re-roofed in '90. New windows have combination storms/screens. Updated utilities include 200amp electrical service, energy efficient boiler (hydronic heat) with manifold for zoned heat, water filtration system, updated plumbing in kitchen and baths. Roof replaced in 1990, many windows in 1999. All the "major" renovations have been done! Renovations done "sympathetically" to coordinate with existing structure, yet brought up to today's standards. Within walking distance of Riverside Park, Riverside Middle School and Douglas Elementary, and downtown Watertown. Fourth of July Parade goes in front of house every other year! Riverside Park is where Riverfest is held annually each August. Walk to the park and enjoy the music! Conveniently located in Watertown, Wisconsin, just 35 minutes from Milwaukee and Madison. We are within commuting distance of the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Milwaukee. If you are a sportsman, we are just south of the world famous Horicon Marsh. Area shopping includes the Johnson Creek Premium Outlets and The Market Shops. |
This home was built in 1912 for Oscar Maerzke, a widely known Watertown resident. He at one time operated the Maerzke Pigeon Hatchery and later was partnered in the business with former Watertown mayor Charles Lutovsky. The business eventually became the Watertown Squab Company. Oscar was a native of Watertown and was born on September 1, 1874. Oscar lived in this neighborhood at various locations. City directory entries show him in 1902 at 605 East Division Street, 1907-1912 at 811 North Fourth, and taking occupancy in 1913 at 809 North Fourth. Oscar had this home built while he lived next door at 811 N. Fourth. He lived here with his wife and two daughters. Oscar lived here from 1912 until his death in 1944, at the age of 69. This unique home was from all indications a custom or customized home made for the Maerzke's. Many of the framing members and trim pieces have the last name written on them, a common practice when a home was built specifically for someone. From conversations with an architect from the State of Wisconsin, Division of Historical Preservation, we learned that this is the only home of its kind of which they are aware. The term that was used was "Eclectic Craftsman-style house". The home is in the proposed North Fourth Street Historic District. When an Intensive Architectural Survey was done by the city of Watertown in 1986, this home was in a state of severe disrepair. We purchased the home in 1989, and have restored what we could back to the original level of craftsmanship. We have replaced radiators, had trim custom milled to match existing trim, and researched colors of paint to get back to original (or period) colors. We also updated features as necessary. The original columns between the living room and dining room and foyer were taken out many years ago. We have been unable to locate an interior photo so that they can be replaced. The kitchen had been sorely neglected, and was deteriorated. We combined the small kitchen and small breakfast area to make a gourmet kitchen. The first floor bathroom was enhanced to include a shower. The second floor bathroom was enlarged to provide space for a whirlpool/soaking tub, separate shower stall, and dressing area. Most of the double-hung windows have been replaced with custom, energy efficient units, that fit the existing openings. |
A Brief History of the Oscar Maerzke House |
DESCRIPTION |
OSCAR MAERZKE HOUSE WATERTOWN, WI |
