Property Record
401 S JACKSON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | STEPHENS HOUSE |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 44270 |
| Location (Address): | 401 S JACKSON ST |
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| County: | Grant |
| City: | Cuba City |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1982 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | American Foursquare |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Aluminum/Vinyl Siding |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENT: A FRAME (NOW SIDED) TWO STORY SQUARE HOUSE WITH HIP ROOF THAT HAS SMALLER GABLE FORMS WITH PEDIMENTED WINDOW BREAKING THROUGH THE ROOF LINE. CLASSICAL INSPIRED POSTS ON MASONRY BASES SUPPPORT THE FULL LENGTH PORCH. HISTROICAL STATEMENT: THIS HOUSE IS HISTORICALLY STIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IF ITS ASSOCIATION WITH JOHN STEPHENS THE FIRST STATION AGENT AT CUBA CITY (1874-1898), AND CIVIC LEADER OF THE COMMUNITY. JOHN STEPHENS WAS BORN IN CORNWALL COUNTY, ENGLAND IN 1843 AND EMIGRATED TO BENTON, WISCONSIN BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR. STEPHENS SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY DURING THE CIVIL WAR. WHEN HE MUSTERED OUT OF THE ARMY, HE SET HIMSELF UP AS A STOREKEEPER ON THE PRESENT CORNER OF COUNTY TRUNK H AND MAIN STREET. IN 1874, STEPHENS WAS APPOINTED THE FIRST STATION AGENT OF THE CUBA CITY DEPOT. THE GALENA AND SOUTHERN WISCONSIN RAILROAD BUILT A NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD THROUGH WHERE THE PRESENT CUBA CITY IS TODAY. STEPHENS WAS ALSO THE AMERICAN EXPRESS AGENT AND POSTMASTER(1874-97). STEPHENS WAS THE STATION AGENT UNTIL 1897-98. HE ALSO SERVED AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR 28 YEARS. WHEN THE VILLAGE WAS INCORPORATED IN 1891, HE WAS THE FIRST VILLAGE PRESIDENT AND REELECTED FIVE TIMES AFTER THAT (B). STEPHENS CONTINUED TO BE AN ACTIVE LEADER THROUGHOUT HIS LIFETIME. HE DIED IN 1929 (C). |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. CUBA CITY CENTENNIAL, 100 YEARS: 1875 TO 1975. B. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 1901, P.554. C. EDWARD O'NEIL INTERVIEW, 12/07/82. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |