| Additional Information: | Description:
Built as a vernacular side-gabled house, the Hoyt House was remodeled in 1931 in the Colonial Revival style, with a Cape Cod influence. [A, B]. Exhibiting gable wall dormers breaking the roof line of the facade, the house is further characterized by an entrance with side lights and fan-shaped overlights centrally placed in the long side of the house. A west addition was constructed in 1872 and a remodeling took place in 1931. [B]. The dwelling is related to the Stark-Hoyt Block at N 88 W 16733 Appleton Avenue.
Architectural/Engineering Significance:
The Hoyt House is not architecturally significant because it has lost the architectual integrity of its original vernacular side gable and form, and is not a significant example of the 1930's Colonial Revival.
Historical Background:
William Hoyt erected the George Hoyt house in 1869. [B, 1]. Prior to 1869, William, father of George Hoyt, lived and located his physician's practice in a small farmhouse on the outskirts of Menomonee Falls. [8]. William Hoyt and his wife Nancy, came to Menomonee Falls in 1856 or 1857, after William had completed his education in Cincinnati, Ohio. [2]. In addition to his profession as a physician, Hoyt erected a stone factory and cooperage in Menomonee Falls in 1862. George Kehr converted it to a flour mill in 1879. It was dismantled in 1907. [8]. William Hoyt died while erecting a new residence in the George Hoyt house. In 1872, Nancy Hoyt added a wing to the residence. [2, 4]. She took over her husband's practice and appeared as a physician in business directories of 1891 and 1894. She died in 1899. Nancy Hoyt practiced in a field in which women were rarely admitted or tolerated. She was held in high regard by the community. [4, 6, 7].
Her son, George Hoyt, began the practice of medicine at Menomonee Falls in 1894, after attending the Chicago Medical College. [3, 4]. Hoyt not only participated in the professional community as a physician and bank president, but also owned several busines buildings and filled numerous civic positions. Hoyt operated his drug store in the Fraser Block from at least 1910 to sometime prior to 1925. He served as president of the Citizen's State Bank from 1902 to 1925, which was also housed in the Fraser Building. [2, 3, 9, 10]. Hoyt owned the Stark Building, (N 88 W 16733 Appleton Avenue, WK 91/34), after 1908. [11,12]. Additionally, he served as deputy health officer in 1914, state senator and assemblyman in 1911, 1913 and 1909, village president from 1906 to 1909 and president of the Waukesha County Historical Society. [3].
Historical Significance:
William, Nancy and George Hoyt served the community of Menomonee Falls in a professional, business and/or civic capicity. However, despite the importance of this family to the development of Menomonee Falls, the George Hoyt house is not viewed as an individually significant structure. The residence underwent significant remodeling in 1931 by Ralph Hoyt. [5]. The appearance and interior spatial arrangement do not represent the period during which the Hoyt family was active in the community. Furthermore, the Fraser and Stark Buildings, structures included in the Multiple Resources nomination, represent several of George Hoyt's professional and business ventures. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Architectural References:
A. Early photograph in possession of property owner, D. Feest, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
B. "Menomonee Falls News," 30 July 1931.
C. Construction Date: Wisconsin B&B Inns Directory 1993-4
Historical References:
1. Leslie Pilgrim interview with Allen Johnson, July 27, 1984.
2. "Portrait and Biographical Record of Waukesha County Wisconsin" (Excelsior Publishing Company, 1894.
3. "Menomonee Falls (Wisconsin) News," 22 January 1953.
4. Haight, Theron W., ed., "Memoirs of Waukesha County" (Madison: Madison Association, 1907).
5. "Menomonee Falls News," 30 July 1931.
6. "Polk's Wisconsin State Gazetteer" (R. L. Polk and Company, 1891:542; 1892:644; 1924:609; and 1927:533.
7. "Wright's Directory of Waukesha" (Milwaukee: A. G. Wright) 1894:187; 1899:300.
8. "History of Menomonee Falls" (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce, 1950) 1-3.
9. "Sanborn Insurance Map," Village of Menomonee Falls, 1910, 1925 (New York: Sanborn Map Company).
10. Goode, Wesley S., "The History of Menomonee Falls - Covering the Period from 1911 up to 1955." Unpublished manuscript written by a president of the Farmer's and Merchant's Bank, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
11. "Waukesha (Wisconsin) Freeman," 21 April 1904.
12. "Menomonee Falls News," 2 July 1908. |
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