| 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, State Historic Preservation Office.
Another map code is 3/12, found on the DOT map.
This two story Queen Anne house features an irregular shaped plan configuration, a stone foundation, a clapboard and board exterior a wood trim and an asphalt shingled gable and hip roof. Pierced bargeboards and gable ornaments with sunburst motifs distinguish the open gable ends. The heavy detail continues in the two and one half story front bay, whose chamferd corners have pendants, brackets, and spindles. The front porch has an open design with a bargeboard and woodwork detailing in the pediment, decorative latticework along the frieze line, turned porch columns and a balustraded railing. Another, screened side porch has similar detailing. Graining was originally done by Mr. Bliefernicht. [2]. Even the chimneys were not overlooked, having cobelling and brickwork accents applied to each. The residence is in good condition. It is related to a rear attached garage.
Architectural/Engineering Significance:
This structure contributes to the significance of the Nathan Strong Park Historic District under Criterion C as a superb example of an ornate, Eastlake-influenced Queen Anne style house. This imposing house with its outstanding display of turned joinery on the front and side porches and at the upper front bay window is one of Berlin's very finest examples of a mansion-scale early Queen Anne house of the picturesque type. The house has been preserved with most of its original features intact.
Historical Background:
Robert and Elizabeth Holms built this home in 1882 for their daughter, Mrs. David Junor. Mr. Junor was the sole proprietor of the Berlin Courant, a local newspaper, from 1879 to 1887. After the death of his wife he was ordained to the ministry and later became the pastor of Mount Olive Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn New York. The house was sold by the Holmeses in 1887 to Charles Morris. [1].
Mr. Morris established the Fourth Ward Flooring Mills and expanded it to deal with all kinds of flour and feed, coal, lime, stucco and wood. At another location in Berlin, he manufactured brick and drain tile. He married Lucy Smith of Green Lake in 1876. She was very active in the women's rights movement on a state and national level and became friends with several of the national leaders, including Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Staton, Julia Wark Howe and Mary Livermore. She founded the Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs and served as its first president. Since their house was the center of a variety of statewide activity, the south living room was chosen as an inspiration for a full-scale exhibit of the Women's Centennial committee at the 1948 state centennial in Milwaukee. [1].
The house was sold in 1935 to Charles W. Smith, after the deaths of first Mr. Morris, the his wife.
Mr. Smith was the president of the Tresdell Fur Coat Company from 1927 to 1947. He purchased and developed several marshlands as muskrat projects and was seeing the popularity of that fur. Mr. Smith also purchased several adjoining parcels of land and created a small private park north of the house. [1].
The house sold to Henry C. Harden in 1949 and then to Steve Gineris in 1960. It was sold to the current owners, John and Jeanette Koch, in 1964. [1]. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1. Gillett, "Early Houses of Berlin, Wis.," 1976, pp. 54-57.
2. "Berlin Journal," 6-20-91.
3. "Green Lake County Reporter," 11-30-1995.
4. "Green Lake County Reporter," 11-21-1996.
Victorian Walking Tours, Berlin, Wisconsin's Walking Tour of Beautiful Victorian Homes, undated. |
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