| 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 David Drummond House, located at the focus of the Third Ward Historic District, is one of the finest examples in Eau Claire of the Queen Anne style, a major residential style in America during the 1880s and 1890s. The two and one half story red brick building has a rock faced stone foundation and is covered by a high gable roof with extending gables and dormers. All the surfaces above the second story are shingled. The structure itself is square in plan with slight projections on each side. The east facade faces State Street, a major thoroughfare, and has a small one story portico. The portico replaced a wrap porch and porte-cochere. The north facade features a one bay wide gabled projection and a round arched second story window opening. The south facade is simpler with a central gabled projection and later second story porch at the southwest corner. A dramatic three story projection at the southeast corner of the house has a broad gable which cantilevers over a two story bay window below. The large semi-circular arched second story porch opening on the east facade is, next to this projecting wing, the most interesting visual feature. Between 1981 and 1987, a sun room-type entrance was added to the south side doorway.
David Drummond, a locally significant figure, is identified with the city's industrial growth. Drummond built the house in 1888 and the Drummond family occupied it until 1932. Drummond was born in 1849 and in 1870 moved from his birthplace in Ontario, Canada, to Eau Claire. In 1873 he was one of the founders of Brooks and Drummond, a meat packing firm and from 1876-1881 he was president and sole administrator. In 1881 his brothers joined the firm, taking lesser administrative positions and the firm was renamed Drummond Packing Company. The Drummond Company grew to be the largest and most complete packing operation in northwestern Wisconsin. In addition to the family enterprise, Drummond was the founder in 1882 of the Eau Claire Gas and Light Co., in 1888 of a real estate company, and later of the Pioneer Furniture Co.
2016- "Characteristic of the late nineteenth century, this house style features steep gables, multiple stories, intricated woodwork, many porches and a third floor ballroom.
Canadian-born David Drummond came to Eau Claire in 1870 and established the Brooks and Drummond meat packing firm, Eau Claire Gas and Light Company, a real estate company and later, the Pioneer Furniture Company. He conducted much of his business in the Drummond Block, a commercial and office building he erected in 1893 at Barstow and Wisconsin Streets."
-"Eau Claire Landmarks: Designated Historic Properties in Eau Claire, Wisconsin", Eau Claire Landmarks Commission, P.O. Box 5148, 2016. |
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