206 East Maple Avenue
Mora, MN, USA

National Register of Historic Places - C. E. Williams House

Statement of Significance:

The C.E. Williams House is significant for its association with one of Mora s long time civic leaders and as one of the county's most distinctive residences. Charles Serline, a prominent local figure and politician, built the house in Mora's fashionable residential district on the south shore of Lake Mora in 1902. The house, however, is primarily associated with C.E. Williams, who purchased the property in 1909 and resided in the house until his death in 1951 at the age of 92. Williams, a native of Kentucky, arrived in the community in April 1883, a mere four months after its platting. He labored as a lumberjack and schoolteacher before establishing himself as a successful merchant and businessman and a prominent banker. Williams also served his community and county in several public capacities -- county commissioner, village mayor, county sheriff, and secretary of the board of education for thirty years The house's Queen Anne design features distinguish it among the housing stock of Kanabec County. It has been well preserved and retains significant design integrity.