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Property Location
| Location (Address) | 234 WARREN ST |
|---|---|
| County | Walworth |
| City/Village | Lake Geneva |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1867 |
|---|---|
| Additions | 1868 |
| Survey Date | 1984 |
| Historic Use | house |
| Architectural Style | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Board |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
"Circa 1860. Pure Gothic. The James Simmons House also described as English Farmhouse... the style is classified as "moral" in Europe, as opposed to the "pagan" Greek Revival. It was popular in the United States because it was romantic and pitcuresque as against being cold and logical. Note the steeply pitched gables, often trimmed with ornaments, windows topped with pointed arches, and carved label molds embellishing the windows with small, antiqued glass panes. Some are the original panes that distort the view. The house stands on a solid foundation on native granite fieldstone, two feet thick. The exterior is tongue in groove clodding, producing a smooth surface. In the 1930s, due to the Great Depression, Lake Geneva businesses needed incentives so that the tourist trade was important. To provide rooms to rent many houses in Lake Geneva added on extensions, as did this place. An addition, including a garage did not affect the facade of the house, however. The first owner was James Simmons, attorney and legal referee. In 1875 he authored the book, "History of Lake Geneva". Mr. Simmons was one of the most prominent citizens of Lake Geneva. Among other community activities, he published the Geneva Herald, forerunner of the Regional News." A Walking Tour of Olde Lake Geneva Towne by the Lake Geneva Plaque and Walking Tour Commission, Spring 1993. |
| Bibliographic References | "Century Old House an Individual," Lake Geneva Regional News, 2-17-1977. 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. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Maple Park Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Jun 17, 2005 |
| State Register Listing Date | Jan 21, 2005 |
| Contributing | Yes |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
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