431 Summit Street
Plymouth, WI, USA

Design and Architecture: The Great American Foursquare

The American Foursquare style of home, also known as the Prairie Box, is an architectural style that was popular in the United States from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, particularly between the 1890s and the 1930s. Here's a brief history of this iconic architectural style:

Origins: The American Foursquare style emerged in response to the changing social and economic conditions in the late 19th century. As the population grew and urban areas expanded, there was a demand for affordable housing that could accommodate growing families. The Foursquare style was a practical and economical solution to this need.

Influence of Prairie School: The American Foursquare style was heavily influenced by the Prairie School architectural movement, which was led by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright. The Prairie School emphasized horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs with overhanging eaves, and an integration with the surrounding landscape. These elements were often incorporated into Foursquare homes.

Characteristics: American Foursquare homes are typically two-and-a-half stories tall with a square footprint. They have a simple, boxy shape with a hipped roof and a wide front porch. The exterior is usually clad in materials such as brick, stucco, or wood siding. Windows are often arranged in pairs or in groups of three, and there may be a dormer window on the front of the roof.

Interior Layout: One of the defining features of the American Foursquare style is its efficient and practical interior layout. The first floor typically includes a living room, dining room, kitchen, and sometimes a small bathroom. The second floor typically has four bedrooms and a single bathroom. The attic space may be unfinished or converted into additional living space.

Popularity and Spread: The American Foursquare style became immensely popular across the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast regions. Its simple, functional design appealed to a wide range of homeowners, from middle-class families to professionals. Foursquare homes could be found in both urban and suburban areas, and many were built as kit homes by companies like Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Decline: By the 1930s, the popularity of the American Foursquare style began to wane as architectural tastes shifted towards other styles such as Colonial Revival and Art Deco. However, many Foursquare homes remain standing today, cherished for their historic charm and practical design.

Overall, the American Foursquare style of home is an enduring symbol of early 20th-century American architecture, valued for its simplicity, functionality, and connection to the Prairie School movement.

Images from McMansion Hell (more images in link)

431 Summit Street, Plymouth, WI, USA

What we know from the current homeowner:

"It was built in 1910, however, not at its current location. It was moved in 1958."

Realtor.com image + Clustrmaps.com

(clustrmaps.com/amp/d/WI/Plymouth/Summit-Street)

" 431 Summit Street Steven D Eggert and Tamara Lynn Erdmann are residents. The name of Catherine A Eggert is listed in the historical residence records. Parcel number is 59271822390. A single family home is located on a lot of 0.35 acres. It was erected in 1910. The property has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The floor size is 1,904 sqft. Info on parking: attached garage, 2 spaces." The property was most recently purchased on January 27, 2015.

Building Permits, 2004 -2019

FULL DOCUMENT IS ATTACHED AS 'DOCUMENT SOURCE' LINK IN STORY DETAILS.

City permits 2004 - 2019; including permits pulled by previous homeowner Steve Eggert.

Homeowner - Dr. Steven D. Eggert

Previous homeowner is mentioned in the Sheboygan Press.

Reginald & Shari Ingersoll - 431 Summit Street Listed for Sale

"Home for sale by Owner - 431 Summit Street, Plymouth WI"

In 1991, Reginald & Shari Ingersoll lived there. They sold the house that year.

Plymouth topographic map, 1974

Plymouth South Quadrangle / Wisconsin / 7.5 Minute Series (topographic)

Map Creator, Geological Survey (U.S.) - Includes handwritten notes

Date Original, 1974

Description-
This standard U.S.G.S. topographic map was annotated by civil engineer and railroad historian James P. Kaysen to show the location of existing and defunct rail lines around the communities of Hingham, New Paris, Plymouth, Plymouth Country View Estates, and Waldo. Kaysen enhanced about 1,200 maps this way, typically drawing rail lines in red ink and adding statistical and historical information about lumber companies and railroads in the margins.

Marriage Licenses - List Homeowners

Marriage licenses filed, and lists Mary Denise Foy, 431 Summit St.

Homeowners mentioned in newspaper, 1966

"Miss Denise Foy Completes Course

Miss. Denise Foy has completed a two year course in electroencephalography and electrocardiograms at Marquette University College of Nursing and Technology. Graduation exercises were held today, Mr. and Mrs. Desmond Foy, 431 Summit Street, Plymouth, are parents of the new technician, who will be continuing her training at St. Joseph's Hospital, Milwaukee."

Home sold to Desmond & Mary Foy in 1965

Vincent Slabe and Wife (sell home) to Desmond J. Foy and wife, part NW1/4, NE1/4, Sec. 28, Town of Plymouth.

Building Permits

"Vincent Slabe, 431 Summit St., repairs worth $375."

Plymouth WI Plat Map, 1959

Full Title, City of Plymouth, Wis. / the Jerry Donohue Engineering Co.

Map Creator, Jerry Donohue Engineering Co.

Date Original, 1959

Description -
"This map shows some land ownership, lot and block numbers, additions, fairgrounds, streets, and railroads and is indexed. The Mullet River and Mill Pond are labeled. The map includes manuscript annotations of expanded corporation lines in blue pencil." The current home location is outlined in red.

Slabe sells 104 Summit Lot to St. John the Baptist Congregation

Vincent T. Slabe (sell lot) to St. John the Baptist Congregation, Lots 12 and 13, Block 16, Original Plat, City of Plymouth.

Mr. Slabe sold the lot to St. John the Baptist for their school expansion.

Property Transfers

The article shows the Plat Section 28 from Orville P. Janisse to Vincent Slabe in 1958.

House Moving

Our home was moved from 104 Pleasant Street up the hill to it's current location at 431 Summit Street between the dates of September 24 and September 30, 1958.

Moving Permit

I located a moving permit for Vincent Slabe, the owner of our home at the time, to move the house.

Home moves from 104 Pleasant St., to 431 Summit St., Plymouth WI

The home at 431 Summit St. moved from 104 Pleasant St. in September of 1958.

HouseNovel has marked the home as either 431 Summit St. or 104 Pleasant St. in the entries before 1958 to note the history of the land and the home before the move.

Homeowner Profile: Vincent Slabe

Vincent Slabe born in 1913, in Plymouth he attended St. John's Baptist Catholic Grade School, and Plymouth High School.

He married Dorothy Schmitz in 1937, and lived with her in Plymouth since that time.

In 1939, he purchased the Plymouth Oil Company in 1939, he was actively involved in the business until he died in 1990. His obituary mentions he lived at 603 Summit St., Plymouth, which is two homes west of 431 Summit St.

Aerial view of Plymouth, 1955

An aerial view of the town.

Creation Date: circa 1955
Creator Name: Vesey, Richard

Compare to older aerial of Plymouth, WI - Date unknown; cited below:
(https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM83805)

104 Pleasant St. Homeowners - Slabe Daughter Named

Daughter Named

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Slabe, Plymouth, chose the name, Julia Ann, for their infant daughter, who was baptized on Sunday afternoon at St. John the Baptist Church, Plymouth, by Rev. A. J. July.

104 Pleasant St. 1950 Census

1950s Census ED 59-27

The following shows the 1950 Census for 104 Pleasant Street. Interesting to note, there were two dwelling units listed, Unit No. 115 and No. 116. Both units housed the Slabe family.

Unit 115 housed Vincent and Dorothy along with their 5 kids.

Unit 116 housed Mary Slabe (age 78 at the time of the census), and her son (Vincent's brother).

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Slabe move to home

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Slabe and family, who have resided at 317 Park avenue, have moved to 104 Pleasant street to make their home.

The Tony Mugan Family lived here

According to the Plymouth Historical Society
"1944-1947 - the Tony Mugan Family lived there"

The Lawrence Miller Family lived here

According to The Sheboygan Press in November 1941, "Lawrence Miller and family, who have resided at 338 Stafford St., have moved to 104 Pleasant Street."

It's assumed they lived here until 1944.

Mrs. Richard Pfrang Laid To Rest After Rites Monday

Mrs. Richard Pfrang Laid To Rest After Rites Monday - articles details a bit about the life of Mrs. Pfrang (daughter of William Fischer) and how they made Plymouth their home.

From the Plymouth Historical Society - "Richard and Jeanette 'Nettie' Fischer Pfrang moved into the house at 104 Pleasant St. in January or February of 1920.
They lived in the house until Nettie died in 1941. He moved out to live with his daughter. She did not die in the house."

Mrs. Pfrang - Direct Descendant of Original Pioneers

On Sept 5, 1940, there was a family reunion of the descendants of William and Jean Fischer, pioneer settlers in Sheboygan County, who came from Germany in 1882.

The article notes that Mrs. Pfrang was two of the direct descendants of William and Jean Fischer.

104 Pleasant St. 1940 Census

According to the 1940 Census Richard and Nettie Pfrang owned the home at 104 Pleasant St. The home was valued at $5,000 at the time. They were 83, and 81 at the time of the survey, while Richard noted he was from Wisconsin, Nettie marked her birthplace as Germany.

It appears they rented a portion of it to Norman and Madeline Pfrang, along with their kids Donald and Dona Mae.

Norman was a full-time truck driver, and Madeline worked full-time as a waitress. They were 34 and 27, respectively at the time of the census, and Donald was 9 while Dona Mae was 1.

It should also be noted, that the forthcoming homeowner Vincent Slabe lived down the block at 113 Pleasant St., in 1940.

Aerial Photography of the Plymouth

From the digital collection:

The Changing Landscapes of Wisconsin: A Digital Archive of Historic Aerial Photographs

Golden Wedding Anniversary Is Celebrated at Plymouth

The article details the wedding anniversary that was held at 104 Pleasant St., in 1933.

Golden Wedding Anniversary Is Celebrated at Plymouth

"The golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pfrang was celebrated Sunday at their home, 104 Pleasant Street, Plymouth, in presence of their children and grandchildren.

The home was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Dinner and supper were served at tables attractive with gold appointments. Golden candles in crystal holders were arranged with a profusion of cut flowers. The centerpiece was a large wedding cake, artistically decorated in gold."

1930 U.S. Census - Homeowners - Pfrang

The following shows that Richard and Jeanette "Nettie" Pfrang lived at 104 Pleasant St., along with their two sons, two granddaughters, and a boarder named Madeline Dix in 1930, who was 17 at the time and a waitress. A Madeline will be listed as the wife of Norman in the 1940 census.

1920 Census - 104 Pleasant St., was noted as 104 West Mill Street in the 1920 Census

104 Pleasant St., was noted as 104 West Mill Street in the 1920 Census.

Edgar A. Stolper, and his wife Hearta rented the home, they were 38 and 23 at the time of the census. Their two daughters Eleanor and Lucille, along with a "servant" named Clara Kuhn, who was white, 33, and single at the time of the census.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pfrang move into home

Article details when Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pfrang moved into the home at 104 Pleasant St., in 1920.

ndex of Land Owners in Town of Plymouth, 1916

Full Title: Atlas of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin

Map Creator: Jerry Donohue Engineering Co.

Date Original: 1916

Description:
"This atlas contains plats of villages, cities, and townships of Sheboygan County. It includes an index of landowners."...including the original land owner of 431 Summit St. Plymouth, WI, Franz Radloff, who is listed as owning 160 acres at the time.

Original landowner, Franz Radloff

From historical society -

"This atlas contains plats of villages, cities, and townships of Sheboygan County. It includes an index of land owners."

Full Title: Atlas of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin

Map Creator: Jerry Donohue Engineering Co.

Date Original: 1916

Nearby Plymouth Cheese Factory

"Hooping the Curd

Workers hooping the curd to make cheddar cheese at the Plymouth Cheese factory...This image is one of many photographs, held in various collections, that document the cheesemaking process."

104 Pleasant St. Sanborn Fire Insurance map

The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map shows the home located at 104 Pleasant St., Plymouth WI in 1910.

History of Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Sanborn Fire Insurance maps are meticulously detailed, large-scale lithographed, color-keyed street maps. Sanborn Maps helped insurance agents in the late 19th and early 20th centuries determine the degree of fire hazard associated with a particular property. Sanborn Fire Insurance maps typically focus on the business districts within communities. Features include street names, street and sidewalk widths, property boundaries, locations of fire hydrants, locations of water and gas mains, and the names of most public buildings, churches and companies. The maps also document the strength of the local fire department and the presence of fire hazards such as blacksmith forges, large baker's ovens or stored kerosene, and the existence of firefighting equipment, cisterns or community water works. Rivers, canals, railroad corridors and similar features are also noted. Each map provides a detailed assessment of the buildings within a district. Assessments include an outline of each building and outbuilding, the size and number of stories of every building, the location of windows and doors, fire walls, and indications of sprinkler systems. They note the nature of the business or businesses which occupied individual buildings, sometimes even particular room uses. They list the type of construction and the composition of building materials including the framing, flooring, and roofing materials.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map

House isn't yet built; the house will soon be built in district 5 south of Summit Street.

1910 U.S. Census - 104 Pleasant Street

In 1910 Census shows that August Bechlam and his wife Freidericke owned the home "free" of mortgage. They were born in Germany and came to the US in 1867, and 1860, respectively. It shows they were married for over 50 years at the time of the Census.

1903 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map - 104 Pleasant St

The home at 104 Pleasant St., (listed as 505 Pleasant St.) appears on the 1903 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map for Plymouth, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.

1900 Census

In the 1900 Census, they did not mark the home number as a result the following is inconclusive.

The highlighted section shows a clergy "broader" by the name of Francis Bliss, and the head of the home of George B. Hubbard (along with his wife Jane), who was also a member of the clergy. Throughout the years, the census records have shown that the home has had multiple families living there at the same time.

This leads us to believe that the home may have been built by St. John the Baptist Church for their members of the clergy. Furthermore, the church expanded onto the original parcel of land after it was moved in 1958.

Highlighting land owner, W. Bans, of 1875

In 1875, W. Bans was the landowner of where the home resides today. Summit Street did not yet exist.

Illustrated Plat Map of The Village of Plymouth

This atlas contains plats of villages, cities, and townships of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. It also includes a list of post offices, a history of Sheboygan County, numerous illustrations, a business directory, several tables showing data on wages, interest, real estate, taxes, and population, a list of county officers, and a patrons' directory.

The plat map shows the original land owner of where the home is currently.

Map Creator
G.A. Randall & Co.

Plymouth, WI in 1870

From site -

"Plymouth was first settled in 1845 by arrivals from Pennsylvania and New England. Its location on a trail between Sheboygan and Fond du Lac made it a well-known stagecoach stop. Wheat farming and later cheese-making brought growth and prosperity."

Map Creator
Bailey, H. H.(Howard Heston) 1836-1878.

Format
Bird’s-eye view

Picture of city by Mullet River, 1868

A view taken from the elevation on the south side of the Mullet River.

Plymouth in 1862

Map of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin / drawn by C. Palmer & E.M. Harney ; engraved, printed, coloured & mounted by H. Seifert.

Map Creator, Palmer, C.

Date Original, 1862

Description-
"This 1862 map of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, shows the township and range grid, towns, sections, cities and villages, landownership and acreage, roads, railroads, rural residences, churches, schools, cemeteries, and lakes and streams. Inset maps and business directories for Hingham, Cascade, Sheboygan, Amsterdam, Plymouth, Quitquioc, Sheboygan Falls, Franklin, Greenbush, and Glenbeulah, and illustrations of local buildings are printed in the margins."