17020 Judicial Road
Lakeville, MN, USA

Emil J. Oberhoffer House

The Emil J. Oberhoffer House is a historic house in Lakeville, Minnesota, United States, overlooking Orchard Lake. Emil Oberhoffer was the founder and first conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. The home was designed by Paul Haugen, who worked for Purcell and Elmslie, an architectural firm known for its renditions of Prairie School architecture. Later the home belonged to the parents of golfer Patty Berg.

Architect Paul Haugen began his architectural career as an apprentice in Fargo, North Dakota. After moving to Minneapolis, he was influenced by the Prairie School style of architecture and ornamentation. This home was designed while he was on his own for a brief period of time around 1913. During that time he designed several residences and a school in Burnsville.

National Register of Historic Places - Emil J. Oberhoffer House

Statement of Significance:

The E.J. Oberhoffer House is significant both for its association with Emil Johann Oberhoffer (1867-1933), founder and first conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, and for its Prairie style design by Paul Haugen of the Purcell and Elms lie firm. Oberhoffer was born in Munich and studied music there and in Paris. Arriving in Minnesota about 1890, he worked in both St. Paul and Minneapolis as a church organist and was active in local musical groups. In 1902 he helped found the Orchestra and became its first conductor, serving in this capacity for 19 years. An important figure in the development of music in Minnesota, he brought the symphony to a high standard of performance. Oberhoffer retired from the Orchestra in 1922 but continued to appear as a guest conductor in other cities. From the time construction was completed in 1918 until his death in 1933 he spent at least six months of every year at the house on Orchard Lake, and it is this building that is primarily associated with Oberhoffer's life in Minnesota. The structure's Prairie School design reflects the influence of this style on domestic architecture in the early 20th century. In addition, it is representative of the development of seasonal residences on the lakes of northern Dakota County. The house is also associated with Patty Berg, renowned golfer from Minnesota who spent time there during the late 1940's when it was owned by her parents, the Herman Bergs.