Property Record
711 W JAMES
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Gov. James T. Lewis House |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 3474 |
| Location (Address): | 711 W JAMES |
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| County: | Columbia |
| City: | Columbus |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1854 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1975 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Lewis, Gov. James T., House |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 4/9/1982 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. SCROLLED BRACKETS, PAIRED AT CNRS, ROUND ARCHED WINDOWS ON CUPOLA, BRACKETED BALCONY W/NEWER IRON RAILING,WRAP AROUND PORCH W/TUSCAN COLUMNS. LEWIS WAS THE GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN FROM 1863-1865. HE ARRIVED IN COLUMBUS IN 1845 AND WAS THE CITY'S FIRST LAWYER. HE WAS A MAJOR LANDOWNER IN THE CITY, SERVED IN MANY STATE OFFICES AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE HOUSE WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1854 WHILE THE FRONT WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED. THE JOG IN CHARLES STREET IS DUE TO JAMES' DESIRE TO PROTECT THE OAK TREES IN THE FRONT YARD. SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOUSE, LEWIS SOLD IT TO HIS BROTHER, WILLIAM. THE STONE STRUCTURE AT THE REAR WAS A GRIST MILL BUILT AND OPERATED BY WILLIAM. JOHN WILLIAMS, A PHARMACIST AND GARDENER, OWNED THE HOUSE FROM 1908-1917. HE DID MUCH OF THE LANDSCAPING. THE F.A. STARE FAMILY HAS OWNED THE HOUSE SINCE 1917. |
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| Bibliographic References: | COLUMBUS HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE TOURS, COLUMBUS HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION, 1994. Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |