Property Record
220 ST LAWRENCE AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Lovejoy and Merrill-Nowlan Houses (Allen P. Lovejoy House) |
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| Other Name: | YWCA |
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| Reference Number: | 46974 |
| Location (Address): | 220 ST LAWRENCE AVE |
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| County: | Rock |
| City: | Janesville |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1882 |
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| Additions: | C. 1904 |
| Survey Date: | 1993 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | JAMES DOUGLAS |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Lovejoy and Merrill-Nowlan Houses |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 1/21/1980 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. The house was built by Allen P. Lovejoy following his marriage to Julia Stowe in 1880. Returning to Janesville after thier honeymoon, they lived at the Myers Hotel and on Prospect Avenue while this house was being built. Lovejoy, a former carpenter, kept a watchful eye on the construction of the house. It is said that he sat on a camp stool observing the construction to ensure everything was built according to his specifications. Lovejoy became a bank director, mayor of Janesville (1881) and State Senator (1887-1889) in addition to following his manufacturing interests. Allen Lovejoy (1825-1904) was president of the Harris Machine Company, parent firm of Janesville Machine which was later sold to General Motors. After her husband's death Julia Lovejoy continued to reside here until her death in 1953. She was one of a group of local women who established the first hospital. She founded the first kindergarten in Janesville and was also active in the campaign for women's suffrage. This house was the home of the YWCA for several years. Contributing also to the Courthouse Hill Historic District. |
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| Bibliographic References: | HISTORIC JANESVILLE, HERITAGE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATES, INC. MACDONALD AND MACK PARTNERSHIP, CITY OF JANESVILLE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, 1994. The Courthouse Hill Historic District: A Guide, Janesville Historic Commission, 1990. The Courthouse Hill Historic District: A Guide, Janesville Historic Commission, 1997. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |