Property Record
1621 CAPITAL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Louise O. Kloepper and Mary A. Lescohier House |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 95290 |
| Location (Address): | 1621 CAPITAL AVE |
|---|---|
| County: | Dane |
| City: | Madison |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1963 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2015 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Usonian |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | |
| Architect: | William Wesley Peters; TA Architects |
| 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: | 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. 04/30/15: This building was constructed on an existing barn foundation, designed for Mary Lescohier in recognition of her public leadership and financial support for Frank Lloyd Wright's Monona Terrace project during the 1950s. Additional Information, 2025: Architecture: This house is a Contemporary Style building designed in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work in the mid-twentieth century, not surprisingly because William Wesley Peters, the architect, was Wright’s first apprentice. The two-story house features a horizontal emphasis with a low-pitched gable roof with overhanging eaves that have prow extensions over triangular ells that project from the house. The house also features long window bands, some glass walls, and balconies that sit along many of the exterior walls. The interior has a largely open plan with some built-in shelving and seating areas. Some window bands sit on the tops of interior walls. The house has a high level of integrity with only a few alterations. Some work has been done to restore original features. The attached garage that became inaccessible after Capital Avenue was widened was converted to a lower level room. Except for mitered windows, single pane glazing of exterior windows was replaced with double pane glazing with no change in size or shape of the windows. Interior window glazing was not altered. Some modernization of the kitchen was done and the roof was replaced. Carpeting was removed and wood floors were restored in bedrooms and living room. A detached carport was added in 2004 and a detached shed was added in 2024. History: This house was built in 1963 for Mary Lescohier and Louise Kloepper after Mary’s husband died a few years earlier. Mary Lescohier was a leader and prominent advocate for the City of Madison to build Frank Lloyd Wright’s Monona Terrace during the 1950s. That effort ultimately failed, but in response to her tireless work in promoting the project, William Wesley Peters designed this house for her. She and Louise Kloepper lived this this house until 1998. After two other owners, the house is now owned by Julie Byrnes and Jeffrey Radtke. (Carol Cartwright, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | Wright and Like Madison Walking Tour brochure, 2015. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |