Front facade (J. Draeger photo)

Stairhall detail

Shearer-Cristy House
315 East Lake Street, Waupaca, Waupaca County
Architect: George Otis Garnsey
Date of Construction: 1891-92

The flamboyant Queen Anne design for the Shearer-Cristy house was taken from a late 19th century pattern design book. The design appears in the May 1885 issue of The National Builder, a trade journal that sold full plans and specifications, in addition to providing monthly advice to builders. George Otis Garnsey, a well-known Chicago architect, contributed this design. Pattern books designs were especially popular in smaller communities like Waupaca that lacked trained architects.

The house displays exuberant Queen Anne details both inside and out. Wide horizontal bands of fish-scale shingles and wood panels define the two and one half story structure. A full-height tower supports the northeast corner while a large oriel sits at the northwest corner. It features elaborate ¿cut-work¿ porches, window-heads, and a matching carriage barn.

The interior is just as impressive as the exterior. The front vestibule opens into a grand stairhall with spooled fretwork and paneled trim. Various geometric room configurations correspond to the beveled corners, bays, and tower outside. There are a number of fireplaces; the most impressive one is located in the sitting room.

The house is known locally as the residence of two Waupaca businessmen: Caleb Shearer, the original owner, and Joseph Christy. Shearer was responsible for the Eagle Planing Mill. Within a few years of moving into the new house he suffered financial problems and was forced to leave. Cristy was the owner of a dry goods store; he purchased the house in 1907.

The house is privately owned; please respect the privacy rights of the owners.