Property Record
1737 WISCONSIN AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Caroline and Samuel Curtis Johnson House |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 11988 |
| Location (Address): | 1737 WISCONSIN AVE |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
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| Year Built: | 1903 |
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| Additions: | 1935 1934 1923 |
| Survey Date: | 1975 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Samuel Curtis Johnson; J. Mandor Matson-1923; Allen and Webster-1934; Robert Bruce Harris-1935 |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Southside Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/18/1977 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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. The importance of this late picturesque Gothic Cottage is largely historical. It was built for Samuel Curtis Johnson, founder of S.C. Johnson and Son, who came to Racine from Ohio in 1880. He became associated with Racine Hardware Co., and established an ornamental floor business in 1887, which later became the well-known floor wax and household products business. The house, which Johnson designed for himself, is a rather small, brick cottage with steeply sloping, intersecting-gable roofs, bargeboards and lacy woodwork on the front porch. The interior features parquet floors were laid by Johnson. An attractive formal garden to the south of the house was created in 1935 and was restored in 1968. Carpenter was Thomas Hay. DOWNINGESQUE W/DECORATIVE LATTICEWORK IN ENTRANCE PORCH AND BRACKETED PORCH. FLARED GABLE ENDS. CLAPBOARD IN GABLE. BRICK 1ST FLR. The house features two Johnson-made parquet floors. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Racine Landmarks brochure, 2003. "SOUTHSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT WALKING TOUR GUIDE." Racine Landmarks Preservation Commission, South Side Historic District Walking Tour Guide, 1993. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |