Property Record
425 W 1ST ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Katherine Johnston Bell House |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 47834 |
| Location (Address): | 425 W 1ST ST |
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| County: | St. Croix |
| City: | New Richmond |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1908 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Aluminum/Vinyl Siding |
| 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: | Aluminum siding is the exterior fabric on this residence. Details are colonial revival and the plan is square. The gable roof has a box cornice, side wall gable dormers and shingled returns. The roof fabric is asphalt shingles. The south or front side has fishscales and three diamond pattern woodwork pieces in the gable. A paired leaded glass window with a wood entablature head frame is in the gable. Two windows with shutters and entablature head frames are on the second story. These have vertical pane lead glass mullions and shutters. The west side of the first story has a three part picture window flanked by shutters. East of this is the entry. There is a one story full front porch with hip roof. Dentils are on the frieze. There are three porch columns which are found and have ionic capitals. A wood railing and rock faced column supports are on the porch. The east side of the house has a one story carport addition. There are two second story windows and a box oriel window with a hip roof. The gable wall dormer hsa one window, shingled returns and fishscales. On the west side is an identical gable wall dormer. There are two second story windows and a first story window on the south part. On the first story north part of this side is a three part picture window. A few bushes are near the house and some trees at the outskirts of the lot. The lot is small and does not extend to the Willow River. The barn is 1 1/2 stories with wood siding and a gambrel roof. It has endboards and a plain frieze under the eaves. Windows are 4/4 and the roof has a box cornice (see SC35-5). This post tornado (1899) residence fits into the neighborhood well. Its age, size and massing are similar to other homes in the immediate area. It contributes to the character of the district, although it is not architecturally significant. An 1897 plat map shows this property was part of O.J. Williams Land. Katherine Bell and her twin daughters Maud and mollie lived here sometime after her husband Marcus died in 1904. They were here in the 1920's. The Bell family also lived at 350 West First (see SC20-5) and the farm on South Knowles (see SC27-24). Katherine Johnston was of Canadian and Irish descent. She was born c.1849 and died in 1938. She was the daughter (one of nine children) of David and Cathering (Gregg) Johnston of North Ireland. They came to Canada in 1835. Her father was a lumberman. In 1856 the family moved to Hudson and in 1857 they were living on a farm in Hudson Prairie. Around 1861 Johnston bought 160 acres in Richmond township. He let his sons manage the farm. On July 4th, 1870, she married Marcus Sears Bell. Bell was a farmer, businessman and civic leader in New Richmond. He had been in a business partnership with James Johnston, her brother, prior to this. When she was 16 years old Katherine was a school teacher. She had four children. Ernest lived on the family farm c.1904. He was a partner in Bell and Webster Concrete Company. The twins were born in 1880 and both attended Hamline University. Katherine had a large investment in New Richmond real estate at the time of her death. After her death the twins lived here. This residence has no historic significance but does have local interest because of its association wiht the Ball family. The family's ethnic and economic background is similar to the rest of the area. The residence contributes to the character of the district and its impact on the city. Note: This house is included in a streetscene on SC35-35 along with SC20-9 (467 W. First Street), SC20-11 (413 W. First Street) and SC29-34 (447 W. First Street). Contact is on SC20-9. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. 1897 Plat Map. B. M.E. Hagan. C. "An Internal History of New Richmond" 12-18-78, M. Sather - "The News", p. 11. D. 12-21-04 "Republican Voice". 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 |