click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 1004 3RD ST |
|---|---|
| County | St. Croix |
| City/Village | Hudson |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1855 |
|---|---|
| Additions | 1916, 1860 |
| Survey Date | 1983 |
| Historic Use | house |
| Architectural Style | Octagon |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Stucco |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments | 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. PAIRED BRACKETS UNDER EAVES. ORIGINALLY BUILT IN GREEK REVIVAL STYLE. LIBRARY AND BEDROOM ADDITION WERE CONSTRUCTED IN 1860. 1916 ADDITION AND EXTERNAL DETAILS DONE IN ITALIANATE STYLE. ALSO STUCCOED IN 1916. SEE NRHPF. Western New York’s so-called “burned-over district” was a hotbed of reform zeal in the decades before the Civil War. Abolitionism, the temperance and woman’s rights movements, and Mormonism all emerged there and traveled with emigrants when they left for other regions. In fact, the many New Yorkers who came to Wisconsin during this period helped make this state another stronghold for social reform. New Yorkers’ progressive beliefs even showed up in their architecture. Octagon-shaped houses like the Moffat House enjoyed widespread popularity in the 1850s, thanks largely to their foremost proponent, the phrenologist and writer Orson Fowler, another reform-minded New Yorker (see WL16). The octagon fad spread in the early 1850s with emigration from New York, so it is no coincidence that Wisconsin boasts more octagon houses than almost any other state. Tradition holds that John Moffat patterned this 1855 octagon house after one he had admired in Ithaca, New York, which he had left a year earlier. Originally the builders clad the dwelling in clapboard, decked it with Greek Revival details, and wrapped it in a full veranda with a balustraded roof deck. But by 1860 the family lowered the roof pitch and added a magnificent rooftop belvedere with segmentally arched windows and an onion finial. Updating the design, they added Italianate details such as paired brackets under the eaves, but kept the original Doric columns and pilasters. After 1860, the Moffats added a wing and two more porches, and in 1916 their grandson stuccoed the exterior walls and removed the veranda’s balustrade. Today the building houses the St. Croix County Historical Society’s museum as it has since 1964. |
| Bibliographic References | OCTAGON HOUSES IN WISCONSIN, P.5 MINNESOTA HOUSES, KENNEDY. ARCHITECTURE IN CHICAGO AND MID-AMERICA, ANDREWS. NEW RICHMOND NEWS 6/29/1995. HAMMOND CENTRAL ST. CROIX NEWS 6/28/1995. Hudson Star Observer, Christmas Tour of Homes, 11/23-24/1996. Wisconsin Magazine of History 9/1944. Central St. Croix News, Hammond 8/19/1980. Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Moffat, John S., House |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Jul 18, 1974 |
| State Register Listing Date | Jan 01, 1989 |
| Contributing | Yes |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
Moffat Octagon House
1877
The Moffat Octagon House, erected in 1855 by Judge John S. Moffat.
CHARLOTTE ST AND RIDGEWAY ST, NE CNR
23857
Located in Hammond, St. Croix County
