120 Cottonwood / The Phoenix Building

William O’Brien and his father opened the O’Brien Hardware Store on this location in 1886. William, trained as a tinsmith, made many of the items sold in the store such as tea kettles, pans and basins. The building was destroyed in a spectacular fire in 1906 and was rebuilt by Charles Gerbensky and John Hurtgen, who renamed it “The Phoenix” after the immortal bird of Egyptian mythology that rises from its own ashes. Gerbensky and Hurgen operated it as a tavern, with boxing matches, roller skating and masquerade parties held in the second floor dance hall. In the 1930’s, the building was also known as the Auto Inn.

If you have any historic pictures (preferably pre-WWII) that you would like to share with the Hartland Historical Society,

please let us know by emailing us at:hartlandhistory@wi.rr.com.






		120 Cottonwood / The Phoenix Building William O’Brien and his father opened the O’Brien Hardware Store on this location in 1886. William, trained as a tinsmith, made many of the items sold in the store such as tea kettles, pans and basins. The building was destroyed in a spectacular fire in 1906 and was rebuilt by Charles Gerbensky and John Hurtgen, who renamed it “The Phoenix” after the immortal bird of Egyptian mythology that rises from its own ashes. Gerbensky and Hurgen operated it as a tavern, with boxing matches, roller skating and masquerade parties held in the second floor dance hall. In the 1930’s, the building was also known as the Auto Inn. If you have any historic pictures (preferably pre-WWII) that you would like to share with the Hartland Historical Society, please let us know by emailing us at:hartlandhistory@wi.rr.com.