Property Record
1307 WILSON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Sumner G. Moon House |
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| Other Name: | MOON APARTMENTS |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 29218 |
| Location (Address): | 1307 WILSON ST |
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| County: | Eau Claire |
| City: | Eau Claire |
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| Year Built: | 1901 |
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| Additions: | 1945 1904 |
| Survey Date: | 1981 |
| Historic Use: | apartment/condominium |
| Architectural Style: | Colonial Revival/Georgian Revival |
| Structural System: | Brick |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Third Ward Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 9/10/2004 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 4/16/2004 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of Eau Claire |
| Additional Information: | ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENT: Commanding the top of a small hill, the Sumner Moon residence is an architecturally distinguished example of the Georgian Revival style. The elegant brick structure is rectangular in shape (a complementary addition, c. 1945, is located at the east end of the building) and covered by a steeply pitched gable roof. The end walls of the structure terminate in parapets. (At one time both end walls also contained chimneys. The one at the east end was removed when the building was enlarged at mid century. The chimney on the west wall still remains.) Four pedimented dormers puctuate the roof which is underscored by block modillions, dentils, and egg and dart molding. The focus of the facade is an off-center Doric portico crowned by a balustrade. When the home was built, this portico and the open porch which surrounds it served the main entrance which has since been removed and replaced by two windows. Narrow stone sills and flat stone arches with keystones and flared ends mark the building's window openings. Originally shutters were also featured. (An excellent 1904 photo of the home is available at the Chippewa Valley Museum). Also enhancing the structure is a brick and wood balustrade - it echoes the entrance porch - which encloses the hilltop site on two sides and continues to the rear yard where the large carriage house is located (see 1315 Wilson Street, 4P/18). The main facade of the structure is orientated to the North. This former residence, which was converted into a six family apartment building in 1945, is presently in good condition. For a related building, see the Moon Carriage House, EC 4P/18 and EC 46/2. (1981 photo 39/8). At the time the Intensive Survey was conducted on this property in 1981, Stevens L. Riley owned this building. He lived at 311 Garfield Avenue in Eau Claire, WI 54701. HISTORICAL STATEMENT: Sumner G. Moon, the original owner of this residence, was one of the sons of DeLos Moon, Sr., an early prominent lumberman, who was a founder and later president of the Northwestern Lumber Company. Incorporated in 1873, the Northwestern Lumber Company was listed among the region's largest lumber producers. (See Bib. Ref. C). Sumner, with his brothers, DeLos, Jr., and Chester (their homes are also included in the district), continued and expanded their facther's interests. A 1930 newspaper article recorded Sumner Moon as the president of the Northwestern Lumber Company and the Sallie F. Moon Company (a holding company), and as the vice president of the Gillette Rubber Company (which later became Uniroyal, Inc. and later Michelin before closing in 6/1992) and the O and N Lumber Company. (See Bib. Ref. D). (NOTE: The Delos Moon, Sr. residence was located across the street from this house. Erected in 1876, it was described as the "finest in the city". It was demolished sometime after 1930). 2016- "This elegant brick structure was altered somewhat in 1945 when a complementary addition was added at its east end. When the home was built, the Doric portico facing Gilbert Street and the open porch surrounding it served as the main entrance. A carriage house is located behind the residence. Sumner Moon, a prominent businessman in Eau Claire, was the president of the Northwestern Lumber Company, which was established in 1863 by his father, Delos Moon, Sr., and his father's partner, Gilbert Porter. Sumner Moon was also president of the Gillette Rubber Company, a tire manufacturing business established in 1917 which operated, successively, as U.S. Rubber, Uniroyal, and Michelin until closing in June, 1992." -"Eau Claire Landmarks: Designated Historic Properties in Eau Claire, Wisconsin", Eau Claire Landmarks Commission, P.O. Box 5148, 2016. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Date of Construction - No indication of a residence is included in the tax assessment rolls, which are available only to 1900; the building first appears in the 1904 Eau Claire City Directory. B. Date of Construction - Assessor's Card, City Assessor's Office. C. "History of Eau Claire County," 1914, p. 800. D. Eau Claire Leader, Dec. 14, 1930, p. 4. E. Materials, Structural System - Sanborn Perris Fire Insurance Maps, Area Research Center, UW-EC Library. Eau Claire Landmarks booklet published by the Landmarks Commission in 2002. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |