Property Record
339 W 1ST ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Ward S. Williams House |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 47804 |
| Location (Address): | 339 W 1ST ST |
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| County: | St. Croix |
| City: | New Richmond |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1883 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | New Richmond West Side Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 5/31/1988 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Clapboard is the exterior fabric on this two story residence of Queen Anne styling. The hip roof has asphalt shingles covering it. The plan is rectangular with rear additions. There is a rock faced foundation. A gabled ell is at the front, slightly off center. Endboards and angular patterned wood boards are on this ell. A semi-circular or horseshoe shaped bargeboard is in the gable. It is of sawn wood, has a few hol;es cut in it and connects to the sides of the gable with horizontal pieces of wood. A two story bay window with a three part hip roof is the gable. Dentil moldings and paired brackets are under the eave. Windows have blue colored glass at the edges. To the eat of this is one window both upstairs and downstairs. To the west of the bay window are two windows on the second story and the entry and picture window below. First story windows have a rectangular wood pattern below the sill. A pent roof with diamond shaped fishscales separates the first and second stories. The one story front porch is to the west of the bay window has arched sawn wood column supports like that in the fronht gable. The building is in fair condition. Over-grown evergreens obscure the view of this reverside home. There are some large trees. The front yard is spacious. This house sits back farther on the lot than most in the neighborhood and the lot is wider than most. Although this building has retained its integrity it has o outstanding features to give it architetural significance. It does fit in well and contributes to the character of the district. Background Ward Spooner Williams was the first mayor of hte city of New Richmond in 1885. He was born in New Portland, Somerset County, Main, in 1841. His family were pre-vrevolutionary settlers in Maine. He taught in Maine until 1862 when he went to California, following his brothers. Here he also taught school and became an assembly-man. He moved to New Richmond in the 1880's. Williams married Estelle McFarland in 1870 in Maine. She died in New Richmond and he married Geraldine Houston (later Davis) in 1890. His brother Orin, was also in New Richmondd (see SC20-11, 413 West First Street). Williams and the Bixby brothers established a general store in 1883. By 1896 Williams was the sole owner of Ward S. Williams Company. The store was lost in the 1899 tornado and soon Williams and Olsen was organized to retail clothes. In 1903, this was merged with Ward S. Williams Company. Williams was also a director and vice-president of the Bank of New Richmondn and had business interests outside of town. Before becoming mayor Williams had served on the village board of trustees. Both before and during his term as mayor he promoted and saw the building of a main street bridge over the Willow River and the implementation of a high school. He was a member of the New Richmond Cemetery Association. He died in 1904. The Williams house was built in 1883 at an estimated cost of $7,000.00. A housewarming in March 1884 involved about 200 guests. The home wsa the largest in the village then. Descriptions given at the time put the two story building as 59' x 28' with ells and a bay window. Significance Williams was a prominent and prosperous businessman. The esteem with which his fellow villagersh held him can be shown by the fact that he was elected the first mayor of the coity. There is no public buildinhg remaining associated with this fact. This residence has local significance because of its association with Williams, the first mayor. |
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| Bibliographic References: | New Richmond News 1/23/1997. New Richmond Walking Tour brochure, 2000. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |