Property Record
214 N HARTWELL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | ALEX R. & MARIE MORTON HOUSE |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 28677 |
| Location (Address): | 214 N HARTWELL AVE |
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| County: | Waukesha |
| City: | Waukesha |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
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| Year Built: | 1899 |
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| Additions: | 1930 |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Spanish/Mediterranean Styles |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Hugo Haeuser |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | McCall Street Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/29/1993 |
| 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. Architectural Description: This two-story Georgian Revival house was originally built in 1897 as a Queen Anne house, but its current appearance reflects the 1930 remodeling effort. The house has a steeply-pitched hipped roof covered with clay tile. Two-story gabled-roofed bays project from both side walls of the house. A small, gable-roofed dormer with a round arched light projects from the front of the roof. The house is covered with brown brick and at the corners, the brickwork suggests quoins. Windows are varied; many are single-light double-hung sashes and some sashes have multiple upper lights. Lunette windows decorate the peaks of the projecting side bays. A large, curved sun room projects from the south wall. It features large multi-light casement windows topped with an elliptical fanlight. The windows of the sun room are separated by pilasters and the frieze is decorated with round knobs. Above the sun room is a wrought-iron balustrade. The front entry porch is decorated like the sun room. Tall tuscan columns support the flat porch that is topped with a wrought-iron balustrade. The porch floor is concrete and spans the entire front facade, wrapping around toward the sun room. Wrought-iron forms the balustrade on the porch, as well. Steeply pitched gables and shingled surfaces remain on portions of the building (to the rear) and indicate the form of the building prior to the 1930 remodeling. The Morton House is sited on a large lot, defined by an iron fence. The scale and style of the building compliments that of the Randle House (opposite at 233 N. Hartwell) and forms an effective end point for the McCall Street Historic District. The Morton residence is in good condition. A garage is a related building. Architectural Significance: The 1930 remodeling of this house was overseen by Milwaukee architect Hugo Haeuser, and the construction work was done by Chris Holtz and Son. [G]. It transformed a Queen Anne house into a twentieth century Georgian Revival house. However, while the remodeling was done with superior materials and workmanship, the proportions and details are less symmetrical and the overall form and massing heavier than most Georgian Revival houses. Historical Information: Tax Rolls indicate that the original house on this property was built in 1899 for Robert Townley, who occupied it only until around 1906. It was owned by Foster Phelps and Rolla Heath between 1909 and 1925. When Alex and Marie Morton purchased the house, they made plans for alterations, which were completed in 1930. Alex Morton was the President of McCoy's and Enterprise Department Store. He and Marie Morton lived in the house until around 1965. [A, G]. Other map codes include 1992 City Map 92/165, District Map 82/7, McCall Street Historic District Map 36/14, 95/28, and Map "B". According to the Waukesha Freeman from July 1987, Howard J and Mary Kamps purchased the home in 1952 and lived there until the late 1980s. Howard Kamps was the president of McCoy Enterprises. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. City Directories for the City of Waukesha, on file at the Waukesha Public Library, Waukesha, Wisconsin. B. Sanborn-Perris Fire Insurance Maps and Plat Maps for the City of Waukesha, on file at the Archives of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. C. Tax Rolls for the City of Waukesha, on file at the Waukesha County Historical Museum, Waukesha, Wisconsin. D. Field observation. E. Building abstract, in possession of the owner. F. Information provided by the owner. G. Building Permits for the City of Waukesha, Building Inspection Office, City of Waukesha Municipal Building, Waukesha, Wisconsin. H. MCCALL STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT WALKING TOUR, WAUKESHA LANDMARKS COMMISSION. I. WAUKESHA FREEMAN 2/21/1995. Waukesha Freeman, July 1987. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |