William F. Strache House

The William F. Strache house is a Queen Anne style built in 1908. The Queen Anne style was the dominant style of domestic architecture from 1890-1900 and continued to be used, though with decreasing popularity until 1910. The style did not mimic architecture from the time of Queen Anne (1702-1714) but her name was often used in popular culture from the 1850s into the 1870s as the style grew.

As with many styles arriving from England, the very first examples were the built for the richest families on the east coast particularly in Newport, Rhode Island. This Harambee Queen Anne home has many of the hallmarks of the style including an asymmetrical façade, overhanging eaves and a dominant front-facing gable that cantilevers out beyond the wall plane, though not as dramatically as some. The front porch, stacked bay windows and different wall materials are also common. The relief panel between the windows on the second floor is simple but mimics other properties where the panels were often hand carved wood or elaborate terra cotta.

The building is wood frame and originally had wood siding, which has since been replaced with steel. Because Strache built his own house and many of his sons were trained as carpenters, it is also possible his son built the house he lived in across the street from this home. Many of the details on that house mimic the Queen Anne style, including a second floor porch so it is possible this house also had one at some point.

Friedrich Wilhelm (William F.) Strache was born in Brandenburg, Germany on August 19, 1859. In 1882, he, his wife, Bertha, and two children immigrated to the United States. The couple had nine additional children in Milwaukee, seven who survived into adulthood.

The third owner, Julius Buschman, was born in Baraboo and lived in the house only three years. He moved to Manitowoc with his family. In 1930, he was the Chief Engineer and one of nine people who died during the sinking of the S.S. Wisconsin off the coast of Kenosha.

This home will be on the market soon, contact MacKenna Real Estate for details: 414-306-2790.

Researched by Diane Rychlinski