Property Record
515 N DIVISION ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Luke Stoughton House |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 93091 |
| Location (Address): | 515 N DIVISION ST |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Stoughton |
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| Year Built: | 1847 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1992 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Gabled Ell |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. This building is a nice example of a vernacular Gabled Ell form house with Greek Revival details. The Greek Revival style of architecture was popular in Wisconsin from 1840-1865. Character defining details of the style include returned eaves, a plain frieze and corner boards. These traits are found on the original portion of the house that is perpendicular to the street. The 2/2 windows that light the house, while not original, date to the late nineteenth century. Based on Sanborn-Perris fire insurance maps, it is believed that the current wing of the house was constructed sometime between 1887 and 1892 and replaced a smaller, one story wing. The current front porch probably also dates to the late nineteenth century. The porch on the south side of the building is believed not to be historic. This house was originally constructed in the mid-nineteenth century and was located near the northeast corner of Division and Main streets. Luke and Eliza Stoughton owned this property from the mid-nineteenth century until Luke¿s death in 1874. They lived in this house until their house at 516 S. Page St. was completed in 1856. The original house was sold by his daughter, Luella, in 1875 to Ole Olsen Ausse and moved to the northwest corner of Forrest and Jefferson streets. Faced with demolition in 1974 by commercial expansion, the home was acquired by members of the Luke Stoughton Society and moved to its present location on N. Division St. Although the building has been moved several times, it is still historically important for its association with Luke Stoughton. He was the founder of the community that bears his name and this was his home at the time the town was platted and when the railroad arrived. Luke was born in Vermont in 1799 and settled in the Janesville area in 1838. In 1847, he platted Stoughton and started to promote the community. The town slowly grew until 1853, when Luke offered free land to the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad in exchange for them to extend their railroad through his community. This solidified the future of the community; it incorporated as a village in 1868 and then as a city in 1882. The original Eliza and Luke Stoughton House is currently owned by the Stoughton Historical Society. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Stoughton Courier Hub 6/6/2002. Stoughton Courier Hub 5/9/2002. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |