Property Record
1740 HEMLOCK ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 37133 |
| Location (Address): | 1740 HEMLOCK ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Rock |
| City: | Beloit |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1917 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20022015 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Dutch Colonial Revival |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | George P. Post & Sons |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | The neighborhood is significant because of the distinctive overall landscape or city plan, with curvilinear streets, because of the unified architectural scheme of numerous basically "colonial" (especially Cape Cod or Dutch) stylistic treatment applied to eight one and one-half story floor plans in a manner more typical of the post World War I (and post World War II) era, and because the design emanated from the well known architectural firm of George B. Post and Sons, of New York City. Although not outstanding in design, the subdivision was nevertheless successful in creating a pleasant environment and much variation amongst small (averaging 1,000 square feet) houses. This house at 1740 Hemlock has a roof sloping to the street, pent roofed clerestory dormers, screened porch across front, and possibly original siding. Eclipse Park was built in 1917 by "Eclipse Homemakers" for the white working force at the Fairbanks, Morse & Company factory located to the south (formerly the Eclipse Wind Mill Company). The housing need was precipitated by the large increase in engine orders at the factory during World War I. Separate housing was also provided across the river for Black workers recruited in the south by the company (see Fairbanks Flats, 215 Birch, et. seq.). A relatively late venture in corporate paternalism, only 80 of a projected 300 houses were ever built, and other amenities such as a compatible shopping center were never undertaken. Much of the land was used as a small golf course until another vast increase in business during World War II, resulted in part of the land being occupied by increased plant facilities (See Fairbanks, Morse Complex, Building 160). After the war, a new shopping center, the Beloit Plaza, was constructed on the remaining land, about 1965. The development was considered to be extremely significant to the community at the time of construction, and much local publicity was devoted to it, as wel as national publicity in the professional journals. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) R. Grismer, "Eclipse Park" Thematic Study, Beloit Historic Survey Intensive Survey Report, on file at Historic Preservation Division, Wisconsin Historical Society, 1981. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |