540 RIVERWAY

540 RIVERWAY

Winnebago

Menasha

1935

2009

house

Art Deco

Concrete

Alpha Portland Cement Company

No

Attached garage.
2009-Previously surveyed in 1984; no changes since that time.

Information from the Menasha Intensive Survey:
Rising two stories and constructed of poured concrete produced by the Alpha Portland Cement Company, this "Modern" house is essentially a hybrid of the Moderne, Art Deco and International styles. The one-story entrance is accented by a stepped, pilaster-like ornament that is vertically oriented and more representative of Art Deco styling. Aside from the entrance ornament, the home's only other nod to ornamentation is the placement and grouping of windows. While not considered banding, the windows along each level of the primary (south) facade are tripartitely grouped, one-over-one-light sashes. Singly arranged and paired examples are located throughout the rest of the house. A one-story wing extends from the main block to the east and a one-story, two-car garage (with a single overhead door) is found at the rear of the parcel. The only apparent exterior alterations to the home are the replacement of the original, multiple-light, horizontally oriented fenestration with the existing one-over-one examples, as well as the enclosure of the rear porch.

Evidenced by a rendering of the home that was published in a 1939 calendar advertising the Alpha Portland Cement Company, the subject house was originally built for Mrs. Mary Snyder. Mary was born in New York in 1884 (or 1885). In 1900, Mary is identified as the daughter of John & Elizabeth Liebrecht and living in Menasha. Between 1905 and 1906, Mary wed Edward Snyder and they had six children. After relocating briefly to Ohio, the Snyders returned to Wisconsin by no later than circa 1908 and Edward appears to have passed away between 1915 and 1916. After working at various jobs including as a laundress and later at the Gilbert Paper mill, Mary had the subject home built in 1935. And, by no later than 1939, Mary remarried to Phillip J. Arft (b. 7 October 1890), who also worked at the Gilbert Paper Company. Phil died between 1952 and 1954 and Mary remained in the subject home until circa 1969. That same year she moved to Lakecrest Drive in Menasha and died the following year. Her son Carl remained in the Riverway home for a number of years thereafter.

No evidence was found to suggest eligibility under either Criterion A: History or Criterion B: Significant Persons. However, regarding Criterion C: Architecture, the subject home is unique for its Art Deco-International styling, as well as for its construction material--concrete produced by the Alpha Portland Cement Company. While it is likely that the home's design emanated from a periodical dealing in concrete/cement, no such design could be found at this time. And although the original, multiple-light windows have been removed, the one-over-one replacements are generally in keeping with the home's original design.

Image of the Mrs. Mary Snyder home found in the month of December in the 1939 Calendar published by the Alpha Portland Cement Company, Page from the month of December in possession of Sheryl Ruedebusch, the homes current owner. "Mrs. Marion (Snyder) Arft," obituary, Appleton Post-Crescent, 30 September 1970. Neenah-Menasha City Directory, various dates reviewed between 1905 and 1980. U.S. Federal Census, 1900-1930. "John Lebright," obituary, Appleton Post-Crescent, 4 January 1930 (note that the Leibrecht name is variously spelled). Also a note of interest, the lots upon which the house was built in 1935 was owned by Phil Arft in 1934; however, they did not marry until circa 1939. The fire insurance map cites that the fireproof house was built in 1935, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Menasha, Wis., 1926 (updated to 1948).

Not Listed