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Oct 04, 2012
Henry S. and Magdalena Schwedes House
The Henry S. and Magdalena Schwedes House is a historic house in Wabasha, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1882, part of a unique trend among the city's merchant class for brick houses. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 for its local significance in the theme of architecture. It was nominated for typifying Italianate architecture in its peak year of popularity in Wabasha, and for inaugurating a second generation of the town's merchants living in brick homes. Description The Schwedes House is a brick building originally consisting of a cubical two-story front section and a one-and-a-half-story section at the rear. A remodeling around 1910 added a one-story wing to the back of the house and a bay window to the southeast corner of the main section. The house exhibits classic elements of Italianate architecture in its cubic massing, the shallow hip roofs of each section, the widely overhanging eaves, and the tall windows with hood molds. The circa-1910 additions maintained the style of the original sections, even matching the distinctive window hoods. The ornamental brackets that once decorated the eaves have been removed since the house's National Register nomination. The front door is set into a projecting brick entry with a gable roof. The south corner of the house has a wraparound veranda off the kitchen. At the rear of the lot is a 20th-century detached garage, which is considered noncontributory to the historic listing. History Henry S. Schwedes was born in Wisconsin to German immigrant parents. In 1882 he married the daughter of Lucas Kuehn, Wabasha's leading merchant, and joined Kuehn's business as a bookkeeper, the profession in which he'd trained. Kuehn had this house built for the newlyweds next door to his own residence. Henry Schwedes soon achieved the role of secretary-treasurer in his father-in-law's prosperous company, and ultimately rose to general manager. The Schwedes House is among the more intact examples of some 20 brick residences surviving from the 19th century in Wabasha. All were built by the first two generations of the city's merchant class, forming a distinctive architectural stock that contrasts with the elaborate wood-frame Victorian architecture that characterized most other communities in Minnesota. As time went on the choice of building material appears to have been a matter of local taste rather than accessibility, as Wabasha was not a major brick manufacturer compared to Lake City and Red Wing upriver.
Henry S. and Magdalena Schwedes House
The Henry S. and Magdalena Schwedes House is a historic house in Wabasha, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1882, part of a unique trend among the city's merchant class for brick houses. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 for its local significance in the theme of architecture. It was nominated for typifying Italianate architecture in its peak year of popularity in Wabasha, and for inaugurating a second generation of the town's merchants living in brick homes. Description The Schwedes House is a brick building originally consisting of a cubical two-story front section and a one-and-a-half-story section at the rear. A remodeling around 1910 added a one-story wing to the back of the house and a bay window to the southeast corner of the main section. The house exhibits classic elements of Italianate architecture in its cubic massing, the shallow hip roofs of each section, the widely overhanging eaves, and the tall windows with hood molds. The circa-1910 additions maintained the style of the original sections, even matching the distinctive window hoods. The ornamental brackets that once decorated the eaves have been removed since the house's National Register nomination. The front door is set into a projecting brick entry with a gable roof. The south corner of the house has a wraparound veranda off the kitchen. At the rear of the lot is a 20th-century detached garage, which is considered noncontributory to the historic listing. History Henry S. Schwedes was born in Wisconsin to German immigrant parents. In 1882 he married the daughter of Lucas Kuehn, Wabasha's leading merchant, and joined Kuehn's business as a bookkeeper, the profession in which he'd trained. Kuehn had this house built for the newlyweds next door to his own residence. Henry Schwedes soon achieved the role of secretary-treasurer in his father-in-law's prosperous company, and ultimately rose to general manager. The Schwedes House is among the more intact examples of some 20 brick residences surviving from the 19th century in Wabasha. All were built by the first two generations of the city's merchant class, forming a distinctive architectural stock that contrasts with the elaborate wood-frame Victorian architecture that characterized most other communities in Minnesota. As time went on the choice of building material appears to have been a matter of local taste rather than accessibility, as Wabasha was not a major brick manufacturer compared to Lake City and Red Wing upriver.
Oct 04, 2012
Posted Date
Jul 19, 2022
Historical Record Date
Oct 04, 2012
Source Name
Wikipedia
May 15, 1989
May 15, 1989
National Register of Historic Places - Henry S. and Magdalena Schwedes House
Statement of Significance: The Henry Schwedes House exemplifies the Italianate style in its peak year in Wabasha. As the first Wabasha home of a young businessman whose parents had emigrated from Germany, it also initiated a second generation of brick residential construction for prominent local merchants. The Schwedes House is an excellent example of the Italianate style as seen in its two-story height, and nearly square shape with smaller wings extending to the rear of the building. Additional hallmarks include the gently sloping hipped roof and distinctive wide eaves with double brackets, as well as tall, double hung windows decorated with hood molds. Even the ca.1910 bay window, with its double hung sash and brackets, accentuates the Italianate design scheme. Henry Schwedes played an important role in Wabasha's history during the period identified by the Agricultural Development and Railroad Construction historic context. Schwedes was born and trained as a bookkeeper in Wisconsin. In 1882, he married Lucas Kuehn's daughter, took charge of the Kuehn Mercantile Company's books, and moved into the new brick house across Main Street from Kuehn's residence. In a short time, he became secretary-treasurer of Kuehn's booming enterprise and rose to the position of general manager. The Schwedes House has undergone few minor alterations since it was constructed in 1882, and thus retains excellent historic architectural integrity.
National Register of Historic Places - Henry S. and Magdalena Schwedes House
Statement of Significance: The Henry Schwedes House exemplifies the Italianate style in its peak year in Wabasha. As the first Wabasha home of a young businessman whose parents had emigrated from Germany, it also initiated a second generation of brick residential construction for prominent local merchants. The Schwedes House is an excellent example of the Italianate style as seen in its two-story height, and nearly square shape with smaller wings extending to the rear of the building. Additional hallmarks include the gently sloping hipped roof and distinctive wide eaves with double brackets, as well as tall, double hung windows decorated with hood molds. Even the ca.1910 bay window, with its double hung sash and brackets, accentuates the Italianate design scheme. Henry Schwedes played an important role in Wabasha's history during the period identified by the Agricultural Development and Railroad Construction historic context. Schwedes was born and trained as a bookkeeper in Wisconsin. In 1882, he married Lucas Kuehn's daughter, took charge of the Kuehn Mercantile Company's books, and moved into the new brick house across Main Street from Kuehn's residence. In a short time, he became secretary-treasurer of Kuehn's booming enterprise and rose to the position of general manager. The Schwedes House has undergone few minor alterations since it was constructed in 1882, and thus retains excellent historic architectural integrity.
Posted Date
Jul 19, 2022
Historical Record Date
May 15, 1989
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
