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Summary
Henry Merrell House
505 East Cook Street, Portage, Columbia County
Date of Construction: 1835-1839
Architect: Henry Merrell
Henry Merrell was born in Utica, New York. Prior to arriving in Wisconsin, he worked as a clerk in his brother's mercantile store in Sackett's Harbor, New York. In 1834, Merrell came to Fort Winnebago, the newly completed Army foritfication overlooking the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin Rivers. Merrell sold provisions to soldiers and served as a postmaster for the area until 1846. In 1838, he established his own general mercantile business. It was at this time that his newly constructed or substantially enlarged house doubled as a residence and a business. During this period, the dwelling also served as a hotel.
In 1867, Merrell moved his house from the Fort Winnebago area to its current location at 505 Cook Street. The house is an early example of the Greek Revival style. It expresses the style with its regular symmetry and the returned eaves on its gable front.
The Henry Merrell house is a private residence. Please respect the rights and privacy of the residents.
Property Details
| Criteria | Architecture/Engineering |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Architecture |
| Period of Significance | 1835-1839 |
| Architectural Style | Greek Revival |
| Architect | Unknown |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | Single Dwelling |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 1 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Contributing Objects | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 1 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Apr 23, 1993 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jul 8, 1993 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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Email UsAttribution
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