Property Record
137 N CAPRON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | WILLIAM NAYLOR HOUSE |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 48454 |
| Location (Address): | 137 N CAPRON ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Green Lake |
| City: | Berlin |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1870 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1990 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Greek Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | The F in the photo codes is for Fox Canal Survey. This property is locally significant under criterion C as a well preserved example of a pioneer Greek Revival cottage brought up-to-date in late Victorian times with extensive high-quality Queen Anne additions. The superb verandah added in 1886 is an outstanding and unusual example of Victorian joinery. Although the core of the house is a frame 1854 Greek Revival cottage, the brick casing, by window, hood moulds, and porch effecively transformed it into the interesting Queen Anne house it is today. William Naylor purchased a vacant lot and built this house in 1854. He operated it as a rooming house and also established a furniture and cabinetwork store which branched out to include coffins and undertaking. He left Berlin in 1880 and sold the house to Niels Johnson. Mr. Johnson was born in Demark where he learned the machinist's trade. After his service in the Civil War, he moved to Berlin. He was married to Minnie Sheldon in 1873 and he ran a machine shop and foundry near his house, which produced a great deal of equipment for the quarry. He also was involved with the machines used at the cranberry marshes and he did repairs for river steamers and government dredges. Mr. Johnson had his own gas plant in the basement and it created enough energy to power his house and his shop. Louise Johnson, one of Niels daughters, married Tim Fortnum. Mr. Fortnum joined Mr. Johnson's firm in 1899. Niels Johnson died four years later and his wife and daughter lived in the house the rest of their lives. The Johnson machine shop gradually switched over to an automobile shop and they sold their first car in 1909. Three years later the Johnson-Fortnum garage became a Reo automobile dealer. Late in 1932, Johnson-Fortnum became a Dodge dealership, which it remains today. Niels Fortnum purchased the house from his grandparents in 1948. Niels Fortnum, the son of Tim Fortnum, joined the firm in 1924. In 1958, Richard, Niels Fortnum's son, continued the tradition and joined his father in the Johnson-Fortnum firm. Niels Fortnum built a new house in 1968 and he turned this house over to his son, Richard. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) Gillett, p. 49-51. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |