Jun 01, 2019
606 South Broad Street, Mankato, MN, USA
The historic house served as the Hubbard family home from 1871 to 1938 and the Blue Earth County Historical Society from then to the present (as of 2019). R.D. Hubbard founded Hubbard Milling Company and established a system of 42-grain elevators stretching across southern Minnesota and into South Dakota. Forms part of Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.
606 South Broad Street, Mankato, MN, USA
The historic house served as the Hubbard family home from 1871 to 1938 and the Blue Earth County Historical Society from then to the present (as of 2019). R.D. Hubbard founded Hubbard Milling Company and established a system of 42-grain elevators stretching across southern Minnesota and into South Dakota. Forms part of Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.
Jun 01, 2019
Posted Date
May 19, 2022
Historical Record Date
Jun 01, 2019
Source Name
Library of Congress
Source Website
Jun 07, 1976
Jun 07, 1976
Hubbard House - National Register of Historic Places
Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance: Rensselaer D. Hubbard bought property at 606 South Broad Street in Mankato early in 1871, and constructed his home, which was finished in the fall of 1871. A newspaper of the day called it the "handsomest" home in Mankato. It was built of brick on a basement of cut stone in a variation of the French 2nd Empire style. The house is two stories high plus a mansard roof which forms another story. The roof is of polychrome slate. The front foyer contains outside and inside doors, the latter fitted with ground and figured plate glass. The interior woodwork is of carved native cherry, walnut and oak. There are three marble fireplaces (in the parlor, the dining room and a bedroom - now the Museum Library -) which Mr. Hubbard bought at the Thieves Market in New Orleans after the Civil War forced plantation owners to sell appurtenances from their homes in order to support themselves. One fireplace is of white Brazilian onyx and Italian black marble; another is of Spanish marble; the third is of Georgian marble. The dining room contains a signed Tiffany lamp shade; the parlor, dining room and a bedroom (library) have colored art glass windows. In 1905 Bradstreet's of Minneapolis was employed to redecorate the downstairs. It is believed that at this time, the silk wallpaper in the two parlors and the wool tapestry on the wall of the dining room and the cherry paneling in the dining room were installed, and the Tiffany shade added. The work was rushed to completion so that Mr. Hubbard's funeral (he died in Chicago on August 29, 1905) could be held at his house. Hot and cold running water was installed in the upstairs bathroom with an elaborate system of cisterns and pumps The grounds were extensive; a Carriage House was built on the property in 1890. A street has been laid through the property separating the Hubbard House from its Carriage House, The City of Mankato plans to move the Carriage House to a location beside and to the rear of the Hubbard House, thus re-uniting the Hubbard House with its Carriage House, The City has purchased land for this purpose which will be appropriately landscaped as a City park. The Carriage House will be completely restored to house the Museum's extensive collection of horse drawn vehicles. The Hubbard House is currently in use as a museum, although plans call for exhibits and storage of artifacts to be moved from the house when a new museum building can be acquired. It will then be restored as a Victorian mansion. Statement of Significance: R.D. Hubbard was one of the leading businessmen in the development of Mankato. He and his partner, George Palmer, organized several businesses which, although presently under other ownership are still operation. The major business was the Hubbard Milling Company. Descendants of George Palmer still manage the company. The house built by R.D. Hubbard is typical of that built by a wealthy industrialist and was designed to show a gracious style of living of that period. That such elaborate house could be constructed in 1871, just 19 years after the founding of the town of Mankato, demonstrates the enterprise and ambition of Mr. Hubbard as well as the rapid growth of the community. The use of locally made brick and locally quarried stone for the foundations and ornate frames of stone around the windows, further enhances the house. Lumber used in the house came from local mills. The Hubbard House is one of the oldest remaining examples of the 19th century mansion in the area and evidence of its local architectural influence can be seen in details of many in the neighborhood.
Hubbard House - National Register of Historic Places
Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance: Rensselaer D. Hubbard bought property at 606 South Broad Street in Mankato early in 1871, and constructed his home, which was finished in the fall of 1871. A newspaper of the day called it the "handsomest" home in Mankato. It was built of brick on a basement of cut stone in a variation of the French 2nd Empire style. The house is two stories high plus a mansard roof which forms another story. The roof is of polychrome slate. The front foyer contains outside and inside doors, the latter fitted with ground and figured plate glass. The interior woodwork is of carved native cherry, walnut and oak. There are three marble fireplaces (in the parlor, the dining room and a bedroom - now the Museum Library -) which Mr. Hubbard bought at the Thieves Market in New Orleans after the Civil War forced plantation owners to sell appurtenances from their homes in order to support themselves. One fireplace is of white Brazilian onyx and Italian black marble; another is of Spanish marble; the third is of Georgian marble. The dining room contains a signed Tiffany lamp shade; the parlor, dining room and a bedroom (library) have colored art glass windows. In 1905 Bradstreet's of Minneapolis was employed to redecorate the downstairs. It is believed that at this time, the silk wallpaper in the two parlors and the wool tapestry on the wall of the dining room and the cherry paneling in the dining room were installed, and the Tiffany shade added. The work was rushed to completion so that Mr. Hubbard's funeral (he died in Chicago on August 29, 1905) could be held at his house. Hot and cold running water was installed in the upstairs bathroom with an elaborate system of cisterns and pumps The grounds were extensive; a Carriage House was built on the property in 1890. A street has been laid through the property separating the Hubbard House from its Carriage House, The City of Mankato plans to move the Carriage House to a location beside and to the rear of the Hubbard House, thus re-uniting the Hubbard House with its Carriage House, The City has purchased land for this purpose which will be appropriately landscaped as a City park. The Carriage House will be completely restored to house the Museum's extensive collection of horse drawn vehicles. The Hubbard House is currently in use as a museum, although plans call for exhibits and storage of artifacts to be moved from the house when a new museum building can be acquired. It will then be restored as a Victorian mansion. Statement of Significance: R.D. Hubbard was one of the leading businessmen in the development of Mankato. He and his partner, George Palmer, organized several businesses which, although presently under other ownership are still operation. The major business was the Hubbard Milling Company. Descendants of George Palmer still manage the company. The house built by R.D. Hubbard is typical of that built by a wealthy industrialist and was designed to show a gracious style of living of that period. That such elaborate house could be constructed in 1871, just 19 years after the founding of the town of Mankato, demonstrates the enterprise and ambition of Mr. Hubbard as well as the rapid growth of the community. The use of locally made brick and locally quarried stone for the foundations and ornate frames of stone around the windows, further enhances the house. Lumber used in the house came from local mills. The Hubbard House is one of the oldest remaining examples of the 19th century mansion in the area and evidence of its local architectural influence can be seen in details of many in the neighborhood.
Posted Date
May 19, 2022
Historical Record Date
Jun 07, 1976
Source Name
Library of Congress
Source Website
Jun 01, 1972
Jun 01, 1972
Posted Date
May 19, 2022
Historical Record Date
Jun 01, 1972
Source Name
Minnesota Historical Society
