Basic Walking Tour

 

                                  Historic            Historic    Historic

Address Street             Name               Register   District  Reference   Classification Builder Built

405      Locust           Samuel Johnson residence                                          32    Contributing         Andrew Malmgren 1883

Dr. Johnson, a highly respected physician, was perhaps best known for his position as medical director and manager of the Oliver Wendell hospital, which was destroyed by

 fire in 1934.  His funeral in 1903, held at the Locust Street residence, was said to have been the largest in Hudson history. 

This house, considered one of the best examples of Queen Anne architecture in Hudson, was built for Dr. Samuel Johnson by Andrew Malmgren.  It features a sweeping

veranda with a gazebo at the east end, a decorative of fish scale shingles and sunburst patterns, and a variety of window shapes and stained glass.

100      Third             John Shaw Moffat                                                  18    Pivital 1855

Octagon House - The Octagon House was built in 1855 by Judge John S. Moffat and his wife.

The eight sided house was placed on the national register of historic places in 1974. It is maintained as a museum complex by the St. Croix County Historical Society.

 

One of the cities most famed landmarks, this unique house was built for Judge John Shaw Moffit.  It is a fine example of Octagonal architecture devices by Orson Fowler as

a functional working class residence.  Moffit embellished the design with brackets at the cornice, corner philasters and an elaborate wooden finial atop the cupola which

was added several years after the house was finished.  It was the first house to be built on Third Street, previously an old Indian trail.  Also, it was one of the first homes in

Hudson to have electricity.  Many changes have been made through the years, but the Octagonal design has not been compromised.  Four generations of the Moffit-Hughes

family lived in the house.  In 1964 it became the home of the St. Croix County Historical Society and opened for tours as a Victorian museum, furnished with authentic 19th

102      Third                                                                                      Contributing         John Lee 1912

This Arts and Crafts home was built by builder John Lee in 1912

Garage Built April 24th 1912, same year the Titanic sank.   Question, how long did it take for the builders of this home to find out that the Titanic had sunk?

112      Third             Darling - Lacy                                                            Contributing 1857

This home built in 1857 was built by the sister of Mrs. Moffiat, owner of the Octogon Hoiuse.

427      St. Croix       August-Johnson house                                             23    Contributing 1910

The August-Johnson house was built by Johnson, who was a master stone mason.  The style is a vernacular version of the Queen Anne-Colonial Revival transition, with a

unique approach to cobblestone construction.  It was built of various colored cobblestones set in concrete blocks and laid in common block patterns, with concrete stucco as

 corner boards.  The two-story building has a cornice that features a course of concrete set with diamond shaped stones incorporated along the frieze.  It took Johnson

several years to complete the house, casting stones into concrete blocks in the basement of his store a short distance away during the winter months.

110      Third             Jefferson-Day House                                               22    Pivital               Albert Harris 1857

Amos Jefferson House: Mrs Jefferson, members of the Ladies Literary Association offered her home as a library to promote literature.  This was the beginning of the Hudson

 Public Library.

During the Civil War, local residents would gather here to scan the "missing in action" lists for news of loved ones.  Dr. Wilder Pennfield, O.M. reknowned brain surgeon,

Nobel Prize winner, and Jefferson's grandson, spent much of his childhood here.

This italianate house was bult in 1857. The original house was more than twice its present size but in the mid-1950's the rear of the house was taken off and moved to

another location.  The internal and external doorways were built extra wide to accommodate ladies hoop skirts.

The home is now the Jefferson-Day house, Hudson's first bed and breakfast inn.

102      Third             Campbell - Barber                                                  21    Pivital 1906

The Camble-Barber home was built in 1906.

 

This home is a fine example of Tutor Revival architecture. It was built for Major Samuel W. Campbell.  Major Campbell was county sheriff, government Indian agent at La

Pointe, and a bill owner.

 

Extensive half-timbering has been applied to the second story with dark brown wood shingles. Steep gables with wide bargeboards and brick trim enhance the Tudor

102      Third             Stephen C. Phipps                                                 20    Contributing         Lee & Son 1915

Steven Phipps Home: Steven Phipps was the son of Philanthropist William Phipps. Steven was a banker in Hudson and the founder of the Phipps Foundaton in honor of this

Father William.  This Foundation has been supportive to many important community projects.  In the 1950's, this house was the home of General Carl R. Gray, Jr. who was the

 veterans administrator during the Eisenhower administration.

This home,  built as a wedding gift from William H. Phipps to his son Stephen Phipps at a cost of $7000.00.

100      Third             William H. Phipps                                                   19    Pivital 1884

This residence, built for William Phipps. Wiilliam Phipps was a lumberman, railroad official philanthropist and statesman.

This home is a fine example of Queen Anne design with it's verandas, balanced balconies, an irregular plan and an array of stained glass windows. Octogonal shingles,

gridwork, and many other details decorage the façade. This crowning glory fo the pictureesque movement is dominated bu an octagonal tower with a witch's cap roof,

915      Third             John Coit Sponner                                                 17    Pivital 1877

John c. Spooner House - This hoiuse was built in 1877for John Spooner, attourney, legislator, senator and for whom the northern Wisconsin town of Spooner is named.

This home was later owned by Mrs. Hans J. Anderson, widow of the founder of Anderson Corporation.

his vernacular Itallianaite house was built for John Coit Spooner. It is a "T" shapped house with a gable roof. Large paired brackets and dentils along the cornice represent the

 classical influence of italianate design.

Spooner, a civil war vetran as an attorney, regient for the university of wisconsin, a wiscosin and united states senitor.

914      Third             Old Courhouse                                                     16    Pivital 1900

Old Courhouse - Built in 1900 this Romanesque stone structure housed St. Croix County government until 1965. It is currently a private residence.

This impressive ediface of"Ricard Sonian Romanesque Style,  characterized by heavy roughly hewn stone and massive archways, was erected of Portage Entry stone and

St. Paul pressed brick..

Constuction costs were estimated around $50,000. St. Croix County government outgrew the capactiy of this building and in 1990 moved the last of its offices to new

903      Third             Lemuel North House                                                      Unclassified 1884

Lemuel North House - This fine example of English Tudor architecture was built in 1184 for Lemuel North and was later occupied for many years by his daughter, Anita North,

 who was Hudson's first millionaire.

828      Third             First Prebyterian Church                                          15    Contributing 1873

First Prebyterian Church - This congregation orangized in Hudson in 1855. In 1874 they completed this neo-Gothic-style church at a cost of $10,000. When the church was

dedicated it was debit free.

This massive brick ediface was erected in a neo-gothic style at a cost of $10,000. In 1911 a Sunday school wing was added to the east side of the structure through the

generosity of philanthropist William H. Phipps. 

Another annex was added to the south side in 1984.

727      Third             Philo Q. Boyden                                                    14    Contributing 1879

 

Philo Q. Boyden House - When it was built in 1879, this Victorian Gothic house was considered one of Hudson's "mansions." I's owner, Philo Boyden, was a pioneer druggist

in Hudson.

 

This residence symbolizes eclecticism and a transition of styles from Victorian Gothic to Queen Ann.  The gabled balcony with elaborately pieced millwork and an oriel

window sheltered by a shed roof is combined with turrets, one octagonal and one square.

 

This home was built at a cost of $10,000 by Philio Q. Boyden, Hudon's pioneer druggist.

703      Third             Richard - Swasey                                                  12    Contributing 1862

Richard Swasey Residance.

This large, square house is fine example of the Italianate style influenced by Italian palazzi design. Bracked cornices are the "trademark".

309      Vine              First Baptist Church                                               13    Contributing         Ammah Andrews 1866

The First Baptist Church is an example of American Classic style. It was designed and bult by architect and church member Ammah Andrews. At on eht eeach pane of the 9

pane windows were painted blue and pink in alternating fashion to keep interior furnishings from fading. In 1902 the origional 9 pane windows were replaced by the current

stained glass windows.

The north dide annex was added in 1890. Another annex was built on the east side in 1982. The church bell was purchased in 1867, and a rare Jardine organ was added

1872, both are still in use today.

Total Materials bill  for the origional building were $3454.00

617      Third             Darling - O'Brien                                                   11    Unclassified          Ammah Andrews 1855

Darling-O'Brian House: This Greek Revival deisgn was erected in 1857 by Ammah Andrews, a pioner Hudson Contractor

This house is proably one of the finest examples of Greek Revival arcitecture in the St. Croix Valley. It was erected in temple form but Ammah Andrews a pioneer Hudson

architect and builter.

311      Vine              First Baptist Church                                                     Pivital               Ammah Andrews

719      Fifth              Selleck - Coon - Dickey                                                   Non-Contributing 1856

This 1856 Italian Villa home known as the Selleck - Coon - Dickey Home  is the earliest example of a mansion in Hudson and the only Italian Villa still standing the entire St.

Croix valley.  The home has three names because each of the earliest owners were important and notable people in Hudson’s early days.

 

It is believed that this home was built for a a business man that moved here from the east coast with his family. Very little is known about this family but later in the 19th

century it was purchased by Calvin Coon a notable businessman in Hudson who later became Mayor.  If you are familure with Hudson Coons hill is named after Calvin Coon.

 

The Italian Villa architecture is recognizable because of it's cruciform shaped design with a tower in one corner.  You can see the Italianate style coming though with the

 

0          Sixth             Historic 6th Street                                                       Unclassified 1987

Sixth street from Orange to Vine is a registered historic district. In fact, this is the only residential Historic district in Hudson.

 

810      Sixth                                                                                       Contributing 1930

This home built in the 1930's was bult as a parsonage.

  Sunday, April 22, 2001                                                                                                           Page 4 of 7

 

904      Sixth             David Fulton                                                       24    Pivital 1885

This 1885 residence was built for Major David Fulton.

Major Fulton served in 13th Wisconsin Infantry during the civil war as an artillery officer.  Major Fulton later served as the president of the First National Bank.

 

This home is the epitome of Hudson's eclectic period when embellishment was done with abandon. Financial success was to be flaunted. The design follows that of Italian

villa architecture with it's "L" shaped plan and campanile tower in the right angle where the two wings meet. It transitions into the Queen Anne style, incorporating shingles,

stick work, brackets, medallions, and delicately turned spindle work in its decoration., a tribute to the significance of milled lumber in the area.

904      Seventh        Samual T. Merrit House                                            25    Contributing 1862

This 1862 home as built for Samual T. Merrit who was prominent in Hudson business circles in the latter part of the 19th century. Merrit was the first buyer and shipper of

wheat in the region, and was the first to use the Mississippi river to ship wheat by barge. The first barge load was pushed by a boat called the Viola built right here in

Hudson.

The Samual T. Merrit House is a good example of Italianate architecture. It has a central cube and rear wing plan, and the roof is trimmed with a boxed cornice and carved

803      Orange          Humphry                                                          26    Contributing 1860

This home was built for Judge Humphrey. 

Humphrey is remembered for his extensive political and judicial career. He served as mayor, district attorney, county judge, circuit judge and as a member of congress.

 

The distinctive architectural elements here are obvious.  In 1860 when this home was built it was a radical departure from the norm being the fist brick dwelling built in

804      Vine              Comstock Mansion                                                 28    Pivital               Ammah Andrews 1857

This home was bult for John Comstock a  leading Hudson banker and Wisconsin State Assemblyman. He  is credited with bringing the railroad to Hudson in 1871, making

Hudson the center of a railroad network.

This vernacular Itallianate house was one of the most imposing residences in Hudson in the 19th century. Another home built by Ammah Andrews, its bracketed roofline and

unique arching gallery porch are its distinguishing features. Polygonal bay windows, hood moldings over the windows, the turned posts and ogtagonal columns of the porch

800      Vine                                                                                        Pivital

In the Bungelow preservation circles this home is called a "Bunga Mansion"

 

716      Vine                                                                                        Contributing         Ralph Waldo 1899

This home, built in 1899 was built as a wedding present.

708      Vine                                                                                        Contributing

702      Vine              Anderson                                                          29    Contributing 1901

This was the home was built by Andersen Corporation founder Hans Jacob Andersen.  At the time, he was head of Andersen Lumber Company and hand-picked each piece

 of lumber used in the house.  The signature diamond windows were part of his personal design.  It was in this house that plans for making windows standard sizes and

mass producing them for the future Andersen Windows Corporation were conceived.  It was his home until his death thirteen years later.

This home is a combination of Queen Anne and Greek Revival styles and is currently the home of the Grapevine Inn Bed and Breakfast.

701      Vine              Hosford                                                                  Contributing 1857

This home was built for the hosford famile  in 1857.

614      Vine              Marcus Fulton                                                            Contributing         Ammah Andrews

This home was built by Ammah Andrews for Marcus Fulton

511      Vine              King - Coit House                                                  30    Unclassified 1880

This Queen Anne style home was built in the 1880's

This two story Queen Anne Revival house with clapboard siding  and a stone foundation features double oak entrance doors with transom and sidelights, a closed sun porch

 and veranda. Its ornamental detail is the signature of the Queen Anne style. The glory of the picturesque movement. The house was built possibly, by William H. McDonald, a

local attorney.

In 1887 the house was purchased by Dr. Charles F. King, and Army surgeon, Civil War veteran, and highly respected Hudson physician. In 1904 it was sold to Frank and

503      Vine              Chamber's house                                                   31    Pivital               Ammah Andrews 1855

This fine example of the Temple form of the Greek Revival style was another of architect Ammah Andrews' designs.  Typical of this style, it has a boxed, pediment gable

facing the street, entablatur frieze, octagonal porch columns and corner philisters.  The Greek Revival style was quite popular in the mid-1800's.  Several others of this design

 can be found in Hudson most constructed by the Andrews brothers.

 

 

Other homes of interest, not on the basic walking tour

 

 

                                    Historic                  Historic    Historic

Address Street             Name                     Register   District  Reference   Classification Builder Built

405      Locust           Samuel Johnson residence                                          32    Contributing         Andrew Malmgren 1883

Dr. Johnson, a highly respected physician, was perhaps best known for his position as medical director and manager of the Oliver Wendell hospital, which was destroyed by

 fire in 1934.  His funeral in 1903, held at the Locust Street residence, was said to have been the largest in Hudson history. 

This house, considered one of the best examples of Queen Anne architecture in Hudson, was built for Dr. Samuel Johnson by Andrew Malmgren.  It features a sweeping

veranda with a gazebo at the east end, a decorative of fish scale shingles and sunburst patterns, and a variety of window shapes and stained glass.

 

904      Vine              Baker Brewster                                                    27    Contributing 1882

The Baker Brewster was built for a respected Hudson lawyer, H.C. Baker who was married to Ellen Brewster, hence the name Baker Brewster.  This two-story irregular

Queen Anne has an asymetrical roof with pediment gables and a boxed cornice.  Stained glass Queen Anne windows, dormers with classical details, a quarter round

window and two bay windows are important features.

 

The Baker Bewster is one of Hudson's renowned Bed and Breakfasts.

 

  Sunday, April 22, 2001                                                                                                           Page 7 of 7