Telephone House

Retail Retail

734 S. 2nd St.
Milwaukee, WI 53204

State Region

Southeast WI

Neighborhood

Walkers Point

Year Opened: 1984
Year Closed: 1986

Exact Date Opened: Unknown
Exact Date Closed: Unknown

Clientele Primarily Identified As

Mixed

Logo:

The Telephone House, a retail store owned by Jimmy O'Conner, was located in a historic 1886 building that previously housed the German American Bank, neighborhood post office, and a gay-friendly, $7/week rooming house. The building was a distinct visual landmark at 2nd and National. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in a five-alarm fire on September 10, 1986. The fire, which drew 125 firefighters and 15 fire engines with 20-30 foot flame jets, was confirmed to be arson. It's been a parking lot ever since.

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The Telephone House operated at multiple locations throughout its lifespan:

822 S. 2nd St (October 1978-June 1981)
832 S. 2nd St (March 1977-September 1978)
1736 N. 2nd St (December 1976-February 1977)

It's unknown why the business relocated so often in such a narrow window of time.

There was also a short-lived Madison location at 3313 University Avenue.

Oddly, one of the Telephone House's former locations (822 S. 2nd St.) was also destroyed by arson on July 3, 1982. The blaze ravaged the archives of the Milwaukee Ballet and Florentine Opera companies, including rare and unique collectables that were impossible to replace. The building was condemned due to fire damage and has been a parking lot ever since.

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