Stcar Station
The years from 1899 to 1932 encompassed the rise and fall of the Stillwater streetcar system, and this adapted streetcar stationhouse is one of the few reminders of this public transportation system. In 1899, the Twin City Rapid Transit company extended its streetcar lines from St. Paul to Stillwater, with the local line along Owens serving as one of three main routes. Along with the tracks, the power transmission lines were erected. A wooden car barn, housing up to nine cars and providing an office, locker room, and tool and supply space, was built just to the south and west of the station building`s future location. _x000D_ _x000D_ The Third Street Station building was constructed in 1904 as streetcar line development expanded in the area. In February, Sylvan Avenue, which ran north of the car barn, was vacated to accommodate an addition to the car barn, although it seems that instead, by July, O.H. Olson received the contract for the separate construction of the "transforming station for the power that is to be brought here from the Minneapolis powerhouse." (St. Paul Globe, July 31, 1904.) The paper reported that the new station`s capacity meant that power stations at Wildwood and Stillwater would be discontinued. _x000D_ _x000D_ The Stillwater streetcars ran every 30 minutes to and from St. Paul, including stops in Wildwood, White Bear, Mahtomedi, and Hazel Park before arriving at Owens Street during the height of operations. However, ridership began lagging in the 1920s, and streetcar company revenues were deeply affected by the Depression. In August, 1932, the last streetcar lines in Stillwater were shut down. The Third Street Station became a private home, with new owners Raymond (Bud) and Julia Marlow in residence through the 1980s and occasionally taking on boarders. Perhaps making the abandoned station more attractive as a home than others may have thought, the Marlows` new residence was located directly across the street from the grocery store at 517 Owens owned by Raymond`s Italian immigrant parents. The Marlows also converted the car barn to a gas station._x000D_ _x000D_ Before its conversation to a home, the front quarter of the building facing Owens originally served as an office, with two 600 kilowatt rotary converters housed in the heart of the "fire proof" brick building, which also had a full basement. The rear of the building rose to an additional story. Sanborn Insurance maps list two night employees among the building`s features. The line of the building`s flat roof is emphasized by corbelled dentils along the cornice. A brick pilaster divides the front faade into two unequal bays, with doors in both bays. Arched, divided light windows line the office space, suggesting a Classical Revival influence, and these arches are echoed in the brickwork above more conventional double-hung windows found in recessed bays on the building`s south side. The sills and watertable are of ashlar limestone. Small, square divided light windows provide light to the second story space at the rear of the building on the east and south sides. Altered brick infill on the central south side bay suggests a garage-sized opening provided earlier access to the machinery space. A frame porch and patio extension at the rear of the building reflects the building`s adaptive reuse as a private home.
Stcar Station
The years from 1899 to 1932 encompassed the rise and fall of the Stillwater streetcar system, and this adapted streetcar stationhouse is one of the few reminders of this public transportation system. In 1899, the Twin City Rapid Transit company extended its streetcar lines from St. Paul to Stillwater, with the local line along Owens serving as one of three main routes. Along with the tracks, the power transmission lines were erected. A wooden car barn, housing up to nine cars and providing an office, locker room, and tool and supply space, was built just to the south and west of the station building`s future location. _x000D_ _x000D_ The Third Street Station building was constructed in 1904 as streetcar line development expanded in the area. In February, Sylvan Avenue, which ran north of the car barn, was vacated to accommodate an addition to the car barn, although it seems that instead, by July, O.H. Olson received the contract for the separate construction of the "transforming station for the power that is to be brought here from the Minneapolis powerhouse." (St. Paul Globe, July 31, 1904.) The paper reported that the new station`s capacity meant that power stations at Wildwood and Stillwater would be discontinued. _x000D_ _x000D_ The Stillwater streetcars ran every 30 minutes to and from St. Paul, including stops in Wildwood, White Bear, Mahtomedi, and Hazel Park before arriving at Owens Street during the height of operations. However, ridership began lagging in the 1920s, and streetcar company revenues were deeply affected by the Depression. In August, 1932, the last streetcar lines in Stillwater were shut down. The Third Street Station became a private home, with new owners Raymond (Bud) and Julia Marlow in residence through the 1980s and occasionally taking on boarders. Perhaps making the abandoned station more attractive as a home than others may have thought, the Marlows` new residence was located directly across the street from the grocery store at 517 Owens owned by Raymond`s Italian immigrant parents. The Marlows also converted the car barn to a gas station._x000D_ _x000D_ Before its conversation to a home, the front quarter of the building facing Owens originally served as an office, with two 600 kilowatt rotary converters housed in the heart of the "fire proof" brick building, which also had a full basement. The rear of the building rose to an additional story. Sanborn Insurance maps list two night employees among the building`s features. The line of the building`s flat roof is emphasized by corbelled dentils along the cornice. A brick pilaster divides the front faade into two unequal bays, with doors in both bays. Arched, divided light windows line the office space, suggesting a Classical Revival influence, and these arches are echoed in the brickwork above more conventional double-hung windows found in recessed bays on the building`s south side. The sills and watertable are of ashlar limestone. Small, square divided light windows provide light to the second story space at the rear of the building on the east and south sides. Altered brick infill on the central south side bay suggests a garage-sized opening provided earlier access to the machinery space. A frame porch and patio extension at the rear of the building reflects the building`s adaptive reuse as a private home.
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Heirloom Homes and Landmark
