Property Record
407 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Abraham S. Wood House |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 107878 |
| Location (Address): | 407 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Madison |
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| Year Built: | 1853 |
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| Additions: | 1874 |
| Survey Date: | 19832021 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | David R. Jones-1874 |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. The map code is 0709-133-1804-8. The First Settlement Neighborhood: A Walking Tour: "The Wood-Curtis house was built originally in 1853 as a small, two-story red brick cottage by Sarah and Algernon S. Wood, a marble cutter. Emelie and James K. Proudfit, a newspaper, insurance and real estate entrepreneur, assumed ownership in 1858. In that year the rubble addition was built, with a dressed stone facade and decorative corner quoins. During his tenancy, Proudfit served as City Treasurer and State Assistant Adjutant General. The third wing, designed by D. R. Jones in the Italianate style, was erected of cream brick in 1874, the time at which pioneer lumberman, merchant and inventor Dexter Curtis and his wife, Hannah, bought the house. The windows and doors on the original house were probably enlarged at this time employing new cast-iron lintels. The neo-classical porch was added in 1898. Curtis was noted for his invention of the zinc horse collar pad which he manufactured in a factory adjoining his house of Franklin Street (demolished) as well as in a factory in Birmingham, England. The distinction of his horse collar pad was that it prevented sores on horses. Curtis served in the state assembly in 1882 and on the Madison Common Council. Following his death in 1898 his son William Dexter Curtis continued to operate the business, which was eventually relocated to 826 E. Washington." 2021 - Resurveyed. Two stories, irregular footprint from multiple wing additions, Italianate details on porches and windows, eave line dentils and paired brackets. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Butterfield, pp. 1017-1018. Tax Records. www.cityofmadison.com/planning/histresc.pdf Madison Landmarks Commission and Capitol Neighborhoods, The First Settlement Neighborhood: A Walking Tour, 1988. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |