| 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 2/31 Insert A, found on the DOT map.
This two and one half story Queen Anne house features an irregular shaped plan configuration, a cut stone foundation, a vinyl sided and wood shingled exterior, a wood trim and an asphalt shingled gable and hip roof. Eastlake details embellish two small dormers on a corner conical roof. Exposed rafter ends, brackets and a decorative bargeboard with starburst motifs detail the varied eave lines along the second story. The double doored front entrance has a large transom above it. Adorning this particular entrance is an elaborate porch with scrollwork, a sunburst, carved brackets, turned porch columns and a balustraded railing. A side entrance has a screened porch with similar Eastlake detailing, as seen on the front porch. There was probably an original carriage house behind the house as well. The residence is in good condition.
A newspaper in Berlin in 1881 said of this stick style house, "It will be Gothic, something entirely new in Berlin;" it was built for a produce dealer. [1].
Architectural/Engineering Significance:
This structure contributes to the significance of the Nathan Strong Park Historic District under Criterion C as an interesting example of a large, imposing, Queen Anne house of unusual design. In spite of the unfortunate installation of vinyl siding over the original clapboard and shingle, and the replacement of the front parlor window with a 16-light fixed colonial sash, this house still displays enough original detailing, including decorated bargeboards, bracketing at the eaves, ornamental dormers with elaborate surrounds and the superb spindlework side and front porches to convey its historic character. This is a very fine example of an architect designed, large, costly, Queen Anne house.
Historical Background:
William D. Williams was born in Wales in 1844. He came to America, with his parents, in 1857 and lived with them on a farm in Colombia County until 1861, when he moved to Milwaukee and worked for the commission house of Samuel Brown. He moved to Berlin in 1865 and started his own business in 1868 as a wholesale dealer in general produce. [3]. The Williams Produce Company was by far the most important Mercantile business in the county, with annual sales of over a half a million dollars. Since Berlin was a natural agricultural center and it had railroad service early on, produce sales and shipments were extensive and an important factor in Berlin's rapid growth. [3].
Mr. Williams was married in 1869 and built this house in 1881. He and his family lived here until 1891, when they sold the house to Joseph Fitch Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton and his wife moved to Berlin from Waukegan, Illinois in 1854. He worked at a general store for a few years before forming a partnership with his brother Thomas, and opening a general Merchandise store. [3].
In 1864, they purchased a saw mill and several tracts of land, including some cranberry marshes. Their partnership dissolved in 1880 and Fitch maintained the dry goods and grocery departments for nearly fifty years. [1].
Harry Hamilton, the son of Joseph Hamilton, was married in 1883 and the lived with his parents at this address. The house stayed with the family until 1946, when the last of the O'Hearn sisters died. The house was then sold to Harold Hanson, who owned the Hotel Whiting. [1].
In 1960, it was sold to Ralph Fabricius who was the president of the Russell Moccasin Company. [1]. |
|---|
| Bibliographic References: | 1. Gillett, Early Houses in Berlin, Wis., 1976, pp. 52-54.
2. Title, Vol. 86, p. 239.
3. History of Northern Wisconsin, p. 358-9.
4. "Style For The Wealthy In Late 1800's", "Berlin Journal," 23 June 1977, p. 3.
5. Berlin Journal 6/19/1997.
A Compilation of Articles Pertaining to the Works of Architect William Waters, 2000.
Victorian Walking Tours, Berlin, Wisconsin's Walking Tour of Beautiful Victorian Homes, undated. |
|---|
