The oldest commercial structure in the city, the small two-story landmark makes the history of Wauwatosa easy to see and touch.

Dr. Halstead built the frame structure in 1854 intending to use it as a blacksmith shop, however it was first used as a dwelling.
 
In 1850, four years prior to the store being built, the first train in the state made its maiden run over the first five miles of track form "downtown" Milwaukee to Spurr's Tavern in Wauwatosa.  Soon after being built, the Little Red Store building became Wauwatosa's railroad depot, ticket office and express office.

Next, Thomas Riddle purchased the store and remodeled part of it to be a grocery store - which also carried hardware, farm tools, and medicines. In 1855, the postal operation was also moved to this busy building. Soon a circulating library was added, and the town's Republicans held caucuses in the building.

Later, Dr. Halstead, the man who built the store, returned to live in the building and run his medical practice from the 2nd floor. All of this took place in a twenty-year time span prior to 1874. Eventually citizens complained that there was too much activity in the building and new train depot was erected further east along the tracks.

In 1895 a devastating fire broke out in the village and nearly destroyed the entire business district.  However, the Little Red Store was spared because it was on the south bank of the river. 

In 1955 Wauwatosa Fuel and Supply Co. purchased the store and then had to decide whether to raze the building or move it so that their trucks could have access to Harwood Avenue. Realizing its historic value to the community, Mr. Jacobus moved the structure a bit to the west to join it to the old electric power plant. He spent $14.00 at that time for restoration of the building, which was then at its 100-year mark in history.

In 1978 the store was designated a City Landmark, and then in 1987 the store and its surrounding property changed hands for what will possibly be the last time.  According to a 1987 City Hall memo from then mayor James Brundahl: "the little red store is being donated to the city by current owner Charles Jacobus to ensure that it will remain a historical monument. The city assumed ownership of the building as part of a purchase of the surrounding 2.5 acre site at the cost of $450,00. Initially, the city will use the property for public parking to support village development and will look to an adaptive use of the Little Red Store which will allow it to retain its character as a City Landmark."

Between 1987 and approximately 1998 the city leased the store to various businesses - the last one being Harwood Engineering. Shortly thereafter, the power plant rear addition was removed and the back of the store was covered with sheets of plywood.  When the power plant was removed all electric and sewer connections were also severed, and the store was vacant.  Seeing that nothing was done to the Little Red Store for the next 4 years, the Wauwatosa Historical Society in 2002 started to appeal to the City that steps needed to be taken to at least stabilize the store and protect it from the elements.

In 2003, WHS facilitated a community forum to bring citizens, the City and the Preservation Commission together to help identify who could do what to help preserve the store.  A great meeting - but again nothing happened until 2004 when the Zimmermann Design Group drew up plans for a modest addition to the current building that would include restrooms, heating and air-conditioning equipment and a handicap entrance.  The mayor presented the plans (photos) to a second-grade class at the Roosevelt School.  In response the students sent letters to the mayor asking her to save the Little Red Store. 

The city requested bids and received two proposals for a modest addition and repair to the rest of the building.  Both bids came in near $250,000. Much of the cost was to reconnect the electric service and sewers, which have to go under the railroad tracks.  For a building of only 600 sq. ft. (20x30 space), this was too high a price tag for the city, and nothing was done except the resurfacing of the parking lot. 

In early 2005, another attempt was made by WHS to heighten the awareness of the importance of restoring the LRS.  We nominated the store it was successfully placed on the list of Wisconsin's Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties. I will say the City was not too happy with us when this was announced, but they have since come around.

In September of 2005, WHS representatives met again with the mayor and put forth a more concrete proposal:
The Historical Society would be willing to raise a portion of the money to restore the LRS.
In return, we would be permitted to lease the building from the City for a nominal fee ($1 per year) and we would operate a visitor/community center that would once again bring life back to the humble red building. 

The history of the village and the store would be told through displays, community groups could use the space for small meetings, and city and village events would be promoted.  Eventually children's classes would be held with hands-on pioneer experiences such as making ice cream, churning butter, baking bread, making cookie cutters, etc. People using the Hank Aaron trail could stop in for bottled beverages and packaged snacks.  It could return to its roots as a general store or the building that offers everything. At least it should be restored and used - so it looks alive!

With community support, like the kind we received for the Tosa High Project, I believe this plan could become a reality.  Getting the City to see the value in this cooperative effort is the key.  Their questions at this point center on how they will make money in this venture.  Remember that they never paid for the building, they haven't made any repairs or improvements, and they've made money on lease since 1987.  The poor, humble LRS won't make it too much longer unless something is done - not only to stabilize it, but also to bring it back to life.

We need people (citizens) to write letters or to call their alderpersons to encourage the City to accept this offer being made by the WHS.  We aren't ready to raise money yet, but we need to know, and the City needs to know that its citizens want to save and reuse this special piece of Wauwatosa history.

The City can't sell the property because it sits on a brown field- land that was contaminated by oil when fuel tanks occupied part of the 2.5 acre. A local restaurateur had everyone excited when he said he would spend his own money on repairs. However he mistakenly thought that he could then purchase the building. His proposal would also have required doubling or tripling the current size of the building.