Property Record
52 TAYCO ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | John & Sarah Mitchell Residence |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 61177 |
| Location (Address): | 52 TAYCO ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Winnebago |
| City: | Menasha |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1855 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2009 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | 1984/86--John Mitchell was a prominent merchant and public official in Menasha. An official of the town of Menasha before incorporation of the city, Mitchell was the owner of a door and blind manufactury. His house on Tayco Street was constructed in 1855. The John Mitchell house is historically significant for its association with one of Menasha's important merchants and public officials. The John Mitchell House is located just north of the central business district. Situated on the northwest corner of Tayco and Chute streets, the Mitchell House is a two story brick Italianate residence featuring a canopied front stoop and a cupola. The roof is hipped and the plan configuration is square with a rear portion. The roof material is asphalt, the bond is stretcher, and the foundations are random stone. The fenestration consists of double hung single pane sash windows. The front, or eastern facade features a double casement window topped by transoms. Decorative features include relieving arches with keystones. The cornice features paired brackets. The rear portion of the building features a screened porch. The John Mitchell House is of local architectural signficance as the finest example of Italianate architecture in Menasha. 2009--The only apparent change since 1984, is the addition of a historic paint scheme. The following information is from the 2009 Intensive Survey of Menasha: Topped with a cupola, this two-story, Italianate-style house is constructed of brick and rests on a rubble stone foundation; a one-and-one-half-story wing extends from the rear (to the west). Paired brackets underscore the overhanging roof eaves of both the main block and the wing and single brackets adorn the cupola that carries round-arched, four-light windows (a portion of which is vented). The primary, wood-and-glass, double-door entrance is sheltered by an open porch with a Mansard-like roof that is supported by turned wooden supports that feature decorative spindlework, including a spindled rail. A larger segmental-arched, "picture" window is located adjacent to the entry, while the upper level features two, symmetrically arranged, segmental-arched openings. Similar openings with a soldier brick header and rectangular, one-over-one-light, wood-framed, sash windows are located throughout the entire house. A second porch entry is located along the south side of the house and in front of the rear wing and which is also adjacent to a solarium-type addition. Since previously surveyed, no apparent changes have been made to the house, aside from the addition of the historic painting scheme and the removal of a portion of the enclosed rear porch. In 1916, however, a one-story north wing (off of the rear wing) was removed from the home. According to most sources, this house was built in 1854 and the original owner was John Mitchell, owner of a door, sash and blind factory; he was also a Town of Menasha official, before the city's incorporation. In 1890, the house was purchased by John Rosch, a local druggist, the city's first superintendent of schools and Mayor of Menasha in 1884 (while residing in the subject home). Rosch, in his drugstore, was reportedly the first in the city to operate a soda fountain. He also served more than once as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and entertained William Jennings Bryan at his Tayco Street home, while Bryan was here for a local speaking engagement. The house then continued in the Rosch family--first to John's daughter Ann (Harold) Evanstad (until at least 1969), then to Ann's son Robert and his wife Nancy. After that, a beauty salon operated out of the first floor (until 1992) and the second floor was an apartment. In 1992, it was purchased by Raymond Chapman and Nance Beckman-Chapman and converted back for use as a single-family home. In 1997, shortly after the Stonemans purchased the home, a fire started on the second floor and worked its way into the attic and cupola; however, the fire department responded quickly and no major damages were suffered. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | A. Island City Times; April 14, 1868, page 1.; Ibid.; October 22, 1863, page 2. B. Menasha Advocate; August 23, 1855, page 2. James M. Auer, Centennial Memories: A Brief History of Menasha, Wisconsin, 1853-1953 (Menasha, WI: Menasha Historical Society, 1985), 15. Michael King, "Fire Damages Historic House," Appleton Post-Crescent, 28 October 1997. Donna Mulder, "Living a Victorian Dream," The News-Record (Neenah-Menasha, WI), 4 October 1995, 1-2, Both of the immediately preceding articles are in the "Historic Homes" file at the Menasha Historical Society Research Center. Neenah-Menasha City Directory, Various dates reviewed between 1964 and 1992. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |