Property Record
66 LAUREL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Mary C. and Nathan M. Reynolds House |
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| Other Name: | Orvald House |
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| Reference Number: | 17728 |
| Location (Address): | 66 LAUREL AVE |
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| County: | Douglas |
| City: | Superior |
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| Year Built: | 1891 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19752019 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Octagon |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | Nathan M. Reynolds |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' titled "orvald House" 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. Nathan M. Reynolds erected this wood-clad octagon house between 1890-1891. He was born on Oswego, NY and later lived in Onondaga, and he served in the Civil War. He married Mary C. in 1854 and they had 3 children: two were daughters: Burtha A., (Bertha) in Nov. 1854,; Maude R. (1860-1899). This area of Superior area had a boom between 1887 and 1892 and the home beside the octagon was erected circa 1890 according to Patricia Rantanen. Reynolds, who was an architect/builder in NY, was partner in Reynolds and Atwood fuel dealers. In 1891 Reynolds address was given as res: w s "L av" 1 [block] s(outh) of 8th. Laurel St. was not yet named. In 1897, Nathan and wife Mary C. are residing at the octagon now numbered 864 Laurel Ave. In the 1899 census , their daughter Mrs. Maude (Levi) Barkey is also residing there. The 1900 census shows Levi Barkey, (widowed) living here. Nathan died of heart failure in 1902, and Mary continued to reside there apparently taking in boarders. Florence Hoes, Nathan's niece, lived there from 1899-1907. Address became 1022 Laurel St. around 1899. Both Maude and Nathan buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. There is a low cupola on the roof with small square windows. The cornice of the roof has flat block trim and there are gables on alternate sides of the roof. The windows are capped with molded lintels. There is a paneled wood vestibule on the front entrance. An interior spiral staircase leads to the second floor, which has 4 bedrooms. Another steep stairway rises into the cupola. Directory lists Swedish immigrants Mattie and Andrew G. Lundgren (and 8 kids) from 1908-1915 and are mortgage owners in 1910. The house in 1917 became the property of Ole Orvald, reportedly the 5th person to own it. A contractor, he purchased it from the bank and installed the first electricity to the home. In the 1970s, it was owned by Olive Robb and her brother Everette Orvald through 1978. MAY BE ONLY OCTAGONAL HOUSE IN N AND NW PORTION OF STATE. |
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| Bibliographic References: | THE OCTAGON HOUSE AND THE COBBLESTONE BUILDING IN WISCONSIN, P 3, UWEX, 1978. Badger History, 3/1962, v. 15, #7, p. 27. Superior Evening Telegram 8/8/1973. Assessor's record. http://www.octagon.bobanna.com/WI.html |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |