Property Record
146 S STATE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Evans Humphrey House |
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| Reference Number: | 49003 |
| Location (Address): | 146 S STATE ST |
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| County: | Green Lake |
| City: | Berlin |
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| Year Built: | 1850 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Greek Revival |
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| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | This one story Greek Revival styled house features an irregular shaped plan configuration, a concrete foundation, a clapboard exterior, a wood trim, and an asphalt shingled shed and multi-gabled roof. Eave returns are detailed with a moulded frieze. Distinguishing the windows are moulded and projecting lintels, each supported by carved brackets. These windows, as well as some found on the side elevation, have panes arranged six-over-six. The small, partially enclosed front porch has a shed roof and a squared column. The wooden porch railing has decorative lattice work. The residence is in good condition. An attached garage is a related building. Architectural/Engineering Significance: This property is locally under Criterion C as a well-preserved example of a Greek Revival frame cottage displaying a relatively ambitious design scheme for such a small house. This tiny, one-story, dwelling was made to look important by the well proportional gabled facade with its two, six-over-six windows surmounted by bracketed window caps. This is an interesting example of a careful design being practiced by a skilled early carpenter-builder to give even this humble dwelling on the frontier pretentions to architecture. This is one of the best surviving examples of a dignified working man's cottage of the 1850's in Berlin. Historical Background: This house was built in ca. 1850 and Evans Humphrey is believed to be the first owner. He sold the house to George W. Lounsbury in 1863. [1]. Mr. Lounsbury was an apprenticed tanner from Ulster County, New York who moved to Berlin in 1855 and opened a harness shop. When the Civil War broke out he went to Bowling Green, Kentucky to serve as the chief artificer in the Harness Department of the Quartermaster Division. After the war, he resumed his harness business in Berlin and lived in this house until his death in 1908. [1]. The next principle owner was George Goodnature, who was a sewing machine dealer. Mr. Goodnature died in 1947. [1]. In 1955, the house was purchased by George Warners. Mr. Warners worked a variety of different jobs, including on at the Berlin Brewing Company. [1]. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Gillett, "Early Houses of Berlin, Wisconsin," 1976, pp. 10-11. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |