Property Record
920 GENEVA ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | James Fiske House |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 67195 |
| Location (Address): | 920 GENEVA ST |
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| County: | Walworth |
| City: | Lake Geneva |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1883 |
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| Additions: | 1894 |
| Survey Date: | 1985 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | BUILDER: JOHN BRAGA |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Maple Park Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/17/2005 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/21/2005 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Built by Mr. and Mr.s John Fiske in the 1870s. Mrs. Fiske was a piano teacher and the living room and parlor were built with curved 11 foot ceilings for good acoustics. Mr. Fiske was a writer on American history. He had a study addition buit on to the rear of the house so he would have a quiet place. The next owner (identitiy unknown) added a circular porch and tower over the main entrance on the n.e. corner. Next owners were Fred and Elizibeth Prichard Scotter in the 1920s. Steges bought the house in 1975. They re-roofed and reoainted the house and redecorated the interior in Victorian Fashion. The Seges are both sculptors and needed a large house. THey used the study retreat as the studio. "Circa 1870. Eastlake. The "House of Seven Gables" was built for James Fiske. The style is a variation of Gothic Revival architecture. Charles Eastlake was an English architect who had a great interest in furniture. Naturally his style carried over into his designs for houses. They have irregular roof lines, variations of the exterior surfaces, and multiple bays and porches. The feeling of furniture is very apparent in the chiseling, gauging and lathe work. Supports are often turned and three dimensional. Decoration often include elaborate spindle work. Eastlake especially like front porches. This is the only example of Eastlake Style in Lake Geneva. A music teacher and family of musicians lived here for many years." A Walking Tour of Olde Lake Geneva Towne by the Lake Geneva Plaque and Walking Tour Commission, Spring 1993. |
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| Bibliographic References: | "Victorian Home Finally has 'Children of its Own'" Lake Geneva Regional News 8-5-1976. A Walking Tour of Olde Lake Geneva Towne by the Lake Geneva Plaque and Walking Tour Commission, Spring 1993. A Walking Tour of Lake Geneva, WI, Lake Geneva Historic Preservation Commission, 2015. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |