Property Record
712 BROAD ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | George & Catherine Stein Residence |
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| Reference Number: | 60693 |
| Location (Address): | 712 BROAD ST |
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| County: | Winnebago |
| City: | Menasha |
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| Year Built: | 1870 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2009 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | #590. Front stoop, shuttters. George Stein (1818-1896) was a prominent public servant and merchant in Menasha.(A) An active Democrat, Stein served as constable and alderman. In later years, Stein operated a grocery, and a wood and coal yard.(B) His residence, built between 1870 and 1874, is said to have been built with stone dredged from the bottom of the Menasha Canal when widened in 1867.(C) The George Stein House is associated with a notable figure in local history, and tangentially to an important event in the development of local transportation. Its greater significance lies in its architecture. Situated back from the street on a broad parcel of land, the George Stein house is a two-story Italianate residence. Its plan configuration is square, and its roof is hipped to a cupola. The roofing materil is asphalt, and the walls and foundation are stone. The porch and second floor shutters appear to be later additions. The George Stein House is the only residence in Menasha built entirely of stone. It is also one of two Italianate residences in the city whose integrity evokes a strong sense of time and place. The other example is the John Mitchell House (#87-18, 52 Tayco Street). 2009--Since last surveyed in 1984, new, more appropriate porch posts have been installed on the front porch. The following material is from the 2009 Intensive Survey of Menasha: This two-story Italianate house is constructed of stone and topped with a hipped roof with overhanging eaves; a cupola rises from the center of the roof. An open, hipped-roof porch with thick, carved wooden supports shelters a doorway with sidelights. Two, two-over-two-light sashes are located adjacent to the entry and along the first floor, while the upper level is comprised of three, six-over-one-light windows. All openings feature a stone sill and a segmental-arched header comprised of individual, cut stones. Windows throughout the remainder of the home are regularly placed, sash examples. A one-story, stuccoed kitchen wing extends from the rear of the house. The subject house was built by German immigrant George Stein; however, the date of construction varies from source to source. Stein was born in Germany in 1818 and came to the United States and, according to census information, settled in Menasha by no later than 1860. A number of construction dates have been cited for the house, beginning as early as 1858 (when the property was purchased by George Stein from the Doty family), to as late as between 1870 and 1874; another cited date of construction is 1863. No matter the date, the family lore that has passed down from generation to generation is that the house was built with stone that was dredged from the Menasha Canal and the mortar was mixed by Stein himself. Also, Stein had reportedly originally contracted with a construction firm to build his home, but was unhappy with their work and did it himself. Notably, the 1860 census does identify Stein as a carpenter. Stein died in 1898 and, thereafter, the house was passed on to his unmarried descendants. In 1960, the Menasha Historical Society entered the home for recognition as a "Century Home," a program that was part of the Wisconsin State Fair which recognized homes that remained in the same family for 100 years. The last Stein family members to occupy the home were sisters Marcella and Florence, who resided here until 1981 (the year of Florence's death). Marcella died in 1986. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) "Menasha Press;" January 11, 1896; page 1, column 4. (B) Ibid.; August 12, 1886; page 3, column 6. Ibid.; February 5, 1885; page 3, column 5. (C) "Oshkosh Daily Northwestern;" November 18, 1967; page 2, column 1. 1870 Map of Menasha, Wisconsin, H. H. Bailey. "Menasha Press;" July 2, 1874; page 3, column 1. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |