170 N WISCONSIN ST

170 N WISCONSIN ST

Green Lake

Berlin

1881

1991

house

Second Empire

Balloon Frame

Cream Brick

No

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. Another map code is 4/6, found on the DOT map. This two and one half story Second Empire styled house features an irregular shaped plan configuration, a cut stone foundation, a brick and asphalt shingled exterior, a brick, wood and stone trim, and an asphalt shingled mansard roof. Tiny, modillion-like brackets run all along the roofline and are not at all interrupted by an attic story, brick front wall dormer. The decorative dormer windows are separated by wooden mullions and are set within round arched frames. The moulded lintels are also round arched, topped by a scrollwork ornament. Heavy carved brackets line the eaves along the second story. The frieze is paneled. Throughout the house are windows that have segmentally arched brick lintels with keystones. The front entrance has a suitably elaborate hood, whose flat roof is supported by enormous, intricately carved brackets. Another side entrance has a smaller hood detailed with braces and pendants. A one story side bay window contains most of the elements found throughout the house including corince brackets and round arched lintels. Even the chimney has round arched brickwork designs impressed on it. The residence is in fair condition. A related building is a garage. Architectural/Engineering Significance: This structure contributes to the significance of the Nathan Strong Park Historic District under Criterion C as the town's most distinguished example of a large, brick Second Empire style house. Probably thought of a mansion in its day, this imposing dwelling illustrates the decorative excesses of the late Italianate period in its ornate brickwork, ponderous bracketed door hoods, moulded window jambs, hood moulded and filigreed Palladian gable window and richly bracketed cornice and roof coping. The sunbonnet gable in the curiously dormerless mansard roof is a fashionable late Second Empire feature. Historical Background: This house was built by Gilbert E. Rounds and his wife Flora in 1881. Gilbert lived with his parents in Vermont until 1851, when he moved to Eureka. He and his brother, Henry, built a steam tug which was the first of it's kind in the area. He was also involved with the manufacture of staves and flour and had a lucrative business in real estate and loans. [1]. Gilbert moved to Berlin in 1869 and invested in a cranberry marsh which was very successful. Later on he was a partner in the Rounds-Russell Glove Company, which became the Russell Glove Company when Gilbert Rounds retired. [1]. Gilbert was remarried in 1869 to Flora Wood, the daughter of Charles S. Wood, who was a horticulturist. Mr. Rounds died in 1897 and his wife continued to live in the house until 1912, when Fred Hughes purchased it. [1]. Mr. Hughes was born in 1874 on a farm near Berlin. He was a farmer until he had to give it up due to health problems. He then moved to Berlin and worked for the Berlin Chapman Company as a machinist for 20 years, until he retired. Mr. Hughes died in 1953 and his wife died six years later. The house was then sold to Sumner Russell who lived in it for five years before selling it to Dr. Steve Osicka in 1964. Dr. Osicka moved to Berlin from Amherst, where he practiced medicine. [1].

1. "OSIKA Home Built By Early Berlin Businessman," "Berlin Journal," p. 15. (no date given). 2. Title Search. 3. FOX LAKE REPRESENTATIVE 6/15/1995. 4. OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN 6/24/1996. 5. BERLIN JOURNAL 6/20/1996.

Nathan Strong Park Historic District

May 10, 2005

Jan 21, 2005

Yes