Property Record
1421 STATE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | C.L. Tolles Residence |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 41832 |
| Location (Address): | 1421 STATE ST |
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| County: | Eau Claire |
| City: | Eau Claire |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1890 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1981 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Cross Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| 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: | The Tolles residence, located on State Street, is a two-and-a-half story clapboard structure characterized by cross gables, a wrap veranda, and a Palladian window in the main gable. A balustrade originally ornamented the roof of the veranda (see photo at Chippewa Valley Museum). Charles L. Tolles (1859-1937), a native of the city of Eau Claire, was associated with the Phoenix Manufacturing Company, was founded in 1861 by Hiram P. Graham and his brother-in-law, Robert Tolles (father of Charles). The new company included a planing mill, foundry, and machine shop, and specialized in building and repairing saw mill machinery. Following a fire in 1875, the company was relocated and reorganized under the name of the Phoenix Manufacturing Company. Charles Tolles joined the firm in 1876 and served in various capacities, including the presidency, until 1925 when the corporation was dissolved. Tolles was instrumental in the development of the Phoenix Log Hauler, "a huge machine resembling a conventional steam engine with tank treads". The log hauler enabled lumbermen to haul larger loads and to enter and log previously inaccessible stands of timber. The Northwestern Lumber Company of Eau Claire purchased Phoenix's first log hauler. The company ultimately produced over one hundred of the machine's, some of which were sent to Alaska, Finland, and Canada. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) 1892 Eau Claire City Directory. (B) Photo Collection - Chippewa Valley Museum. (C) Eau Claire Leader, October 12, 1937. (D) File on Phoenix Mfg. Co. at Chippewa Valley Museum. (E) Live Steam, January, 1976. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |