Property Record
322 BEASER AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Ole Johnson Boarding House |
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| Reference Number: | 525 |
| Location (Address): | 322 BEASER AVE |
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| County: | Ashland |
| City: | Ashland |
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| Year Built: | 1883 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20082016 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| 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: | Broad gabled house with symmetrical facade features many original windows, one window in peak of gable, front sunporch and side extension. 2008-the only change to the home since the last survey card on file is the removal of the peak window and its replacement with a vent. A one-story wing extends from either side wall. 2008- "This two-and-one-half story, front-gabled house is sheathed with clapboard. A shed-roofed, enclosed porch extends across its primary (west) facade and consists of three-over-one-light sashes, while the second floor carries four, evenly spaced, double-hung sashes. Since last surveyed in 1982, the peak window has been infilled with board and a vent, while the two-over-two-light windows have been replaced with one-over-one examples. A one-story gabled wing (each carrying a single sash window) extends from both the north and south facades of the house. In March of 1883, all of Block 29 in Ashland Proper (which includes this parcel) was deeded to Laura A. Wilson (widow of Martin Beaser). Approximately four-and-one-half years later, she sold the subject Lot 12 to Ole Johnson & Andrew Olson. Despite the later date of land transfer, it appears that this house was built in 1883 as a boarding house by Ole Johnson. In March of 1889, Andrew Olson sold his half interest in the property to Ole. By no later than 1890, city directories confirm multiple persons as residing here; tenants in 1890 included teamster Frank Tolliver, laborer John Otto, wagonmaker John H. Mclennan and John McVicar, a molder at Ashland Iron & Steel. From circa 1895 to circa 1935, carpenter Ole Vehn is cited as an occupant and later (by 1915) as the owner." - "Beaser Ave, 18th St to Lake Shore Dr W", WisDOT ID #9952-14-00, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd (Schnell) (2008). |
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| Bibliographic References: | Tax rolls, City of Ashland, 1887-1935. Laura A. Wilson to Ole Johnson & Andrew Olson, WD, 5 October 1887, 26/310. A citation in the summary of building for 1883 cites that Ole Johnson built two tenant houses on Main Street (note that Beaser was formerly known as Main Street), " 'The Metropolis'of the 'New Wisconsin' Comes to the Front," The Ashland Press, 17 November 1883, 2/2. Sanborn maps verify the home's construction by 1886. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |