The Seedy Little Story Behind Manor Hall

Hardworking miners, weary after a day pulling stone, came to a Douglas Avenue tavern for a beer—and companionship—according to local historial Michael Michna. 

The year was 1897 and Caledonia was known as Ives Station.

Miners on the northwest corner of 3 Mile Road and Douglas Avenue, came a little bit north, to the building known as Manor Hall, 4344 Douglas Ave., after work. 

"It was the red light district," Michna said. "There was a livery stable and the quarry was in the area. This also served as a stopping point between Racine and Milwaukee and there were saloons and brothels in the area."

Christie Kern, who owns Racine Community Acupuncture, had her business in the building a few years ago.

"Well, as a matter of fact, prior to the nuns moving in, there were other women living there," Kern said. "The building's foundation says 1891, and was en route to Milwaukee, but pretty far away from town center.

"So, it was the entertainment district, or as the owner told us, a saloon with benefits upstairs. Oh, if walls could talk!"

Michna said the area didn't have a strong law enforcement presence and this area was "more like cities to themselves that were no man's land." The German Augustinians saw this as an opportunity in 1926 when St. Rita's Parish bought the building and turned the building into a convent.

Now, the property currently sits empty and is up for lease.