508 N Huron Ave
Spring Valley, MN, USA

National Register of Historic Places - William Strong House

Statement of Significance:

The Strong House in Spring Valley is significant for its French Second Empire architectural style and Integrity, and as a prominent representative of the commercial prosperity of the community of Spring Valley during its early boom years in the 1870s. Constructed by William H. Strong in 1879, the house remained in the Strong family until about World War II. In the mid-1870s. Strong moved to Spring Valley from Carimona where he had been active in commerce and politics. In 1877 he bought out the interest of Minnesota financier Jason C. Easton in a Spring Valley bank, acquired new partners, and formed what became the First State Bank of Spring Valley. It was at this time that Strong built the present house, one of two houses (the other being the Ephraim Steffens House) to survive with substantial integrity from an original group erected by the community's wealthy families to signify their newly acquired status. By the time of his death in 1909, William Strong had become by far the wealthiest person in Spring Valley, according to published tax statements. The present owners are interested in the history, preservation, and restoration of the house.