Property Record
706 N BRIDGE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Susan Mayer House; Maria Ann Mayer House |
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| Other Name: | Law House |
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| Reference Number: | 3150 |
| Location (Address): | 706 N BRIDGE ST |
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| County: | Chippewa |
| City: | Chippewa Falls |
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| Year Built: | 1903 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
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| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Paired brackets and modillions under the eaves; roof dormers; three-sided bay window and rectangular bay window; pedimented gable roofed dormers; open full-length front porch with Ionic columns; arched leaded glass window on front porch; rear addition with open northside porch with Tuscan columns; iron fence; window cornices. The broad overhanging hip roof visually supported by paired brackets of the Italianate style is part of the eclectic design of the Susan Mayer House, also influenced by the Neo-Classicism popular at the time. Constructed c. 1903, the Mayer House exhibits Neo-Classic influenced architectural details such as modillions under the eaves, pedimented gabled roof dormers, Ionic styled porch columns, fan shaped leaded glass overlights above the front window and window cornices. The Susan Mayer House is significant as a good, well-preserved example of the eclectic nature of the residential architecture in Chippewa Falls after the turn of the century. Tax Assessment Records and Chippewa Falls Directories (1885, 1887-1888, 1881 and after) indicate that a house belonging to James and Mary Comerford was located at 706 N. Bridge St. The 1877 Tax Assessment role indicates no such residence. There is a gap in Chippewa County tax records between 1877-1881, suggesting that this residence was probably built sometime between these dates. This residence was probably built sometime between 1877-1881 by James and Annotte Comerford (C). James Comerford came to Chippewa Falls in 1866 and was employed as a clerk for twelve years. Comerford served as County Clerk for Chippewa County between 1878-1882 (D). Annotte Comerford was employed as a millina and dressmaker (E). Subsequent owners of the house were Joseph & Essie McKay (1898-1903), Susan Mayer & children (1903-1958), Maria Ann Mayer (1958-1971) (F). At the present time the current owner, Vance Sinclair, rents office space in this building. Attorney's offices are located in this building, hence the common current name, "Law House." |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tax Assessment Records, 1903-1910, Chippewa County (County Treasurer: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin). (B) Register of Deeds, Chippewa County (Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin). (C) Tax Assessment Records, 1877 and 1881, Chippewa County (County Treasurer: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin). (D) History of Northern Wisconsin (Chicago: The Western Historical Company, 1881), p. 207. (E) Chippewa Union and Times 24 July, 1869. (F) Chippewa Falls Directories, 1885, 1887-1888, 1881 and after. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |