Thelen House (Mead and Hunt photo, 2007) Thelen Barn (Mead and
Hunt photo, 2007) Thelen Smokehouse (Mead and Hunt photo, 2007)
John Nicholas and Hermina Thelen House 1383 and 1405 Thelen Farm
Trail, Town of St. Joseph, St. Croix County Dates of
construction: circa 1873-1917 In 1863, German immigrants John
Nicholas and Hermina Thelen purchased and settled 80 acres of
farmland in St. Croix County. Through successful wheat farming
and supplementary pursuits, they began acquiring additional
acreage, and by 1897 had amassed 280 acres, making them one of
the largest landowners in the Town of St. Joseph. In 1885, the
family hired builder Augustus Jackson to erect a home that
reflected their growing prosperity. The resulting house is a
handsome wood-frame example of the Italianate style adapted to a
farm house. The house retains many of its original features,
including its original wood siding, its decorative wood brackets
below the eaves, and its wide front porch with the original
columns, balustrades, and corner br