402 6th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN, USA

John N. Bensen House

The John N. Bensen House is a historic house in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1904 for John N. Bensen (1850–1917), a German immigrant who settled in St. Cloud in 1872, found success in the grocery business, and went on to serve as mayor and bank president. The Bensen House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 for its local significance in the themes of architecture and commerce. It was nominated for being one of St. Cloud's finest examples of Queen Anne architecture and for its association with Bensen.

The house now operates as the Heritage House Bed & Breakfast.

National Register of Historic Places - John N. Bensen House

Statement of Significance:

The John N. Bensen House is significant for its architectural design and integrity and for its association with John Bensen, its first owner. The May 19, 1903, St. Cloud Daily Times described the house as "a handsome design of the late style of architecture.' The red brick dwelling is one of St. Cloud's finest examples of the Queen Anne style. The interior integrity and large carriage house add to the architectural significance. John Bensen migrated to St. Cloud from Germany by way of Brooklyn and St. Paul. With experience as a grocer, he opened a grocery business with his brother in 1872. (The grocery and an additional commercial building built by the Bensens stand on Fifth Avenue South.) In 1903, John Bensen entered the real estate business. From 1905 to 1906 he served as mayor of St. Cloud, and in 1908 he became president of the Merchants Bank of St. Cloud. The house at 402 Sixth Avenue South attests to his success and importance in the commercial development of St. Cloud.