309 Beechwood Avenue North
Braham, MN, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Oscar Olson House

Statement of Significance:

The Oscar Olson House is significant as the home of one of Braham's long-time community leaders and as one of the county's most distinctive residences both in scale and design. The house was constructed in 1914 by Fred Soderberg, who sold it to Oscar Olson five years later. Olson resided in the house until his death in 1973. During that time, he earned the reputation of being a "founder, leader, conservator" of the community's "economic progress, social wellbeing, and civic consciousness,"^ Olson was a prominent banker in Braham for over sixty years and a civic leader and enthusiast during most of the history of the community. Braham had been planted in 1899 when the Great Northern Railroad Line first crossed the county, the Olson House was constructed during the community's second decade of development. With its impressive size and Classical Revival design features, the house is distinctive among the housing stock of Braham and of the entire county. It has been well preserved and retains significant design integrity.