831 East Mount Faith Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN, USA

C.J. Wright House

The C.J. Wright House is a historic building located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, United States. Minneapolis architect Leroy S. Buffington supplied the designs for this 2½-story wood frame residence. Isaac H. Hobbs & Son, architect firm from Philadelphia created the house drawings. Local carpenter J.O. Crummett built it from 1881 to 1882. Construction began under the direction of George B. Wright and completed by his nephew C.J. Wright. The Wrights were Vermont natives who surveyed and were involved in developing the new town of Fergus Falls. The Queen Anne style structure follows an irregular plan. It is also a Stick style variant of the Gothic Revival style. The Gothic Revival is found in the scissor-trusses with an eight-pointed star medallion on each of the gables and the scroll-sawn spandrels of the wrap-around front porch. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The house has seen 6 generations of continuous family ownership.

The house is situated in a wooded tract and is not visible from the street; many neighborhood residents are unaware of its existence. Small arches were cut out of 3 of the original doors for cat passage. The main floor of the house, including the ornate parlor with its walnut mantle and parquet floor,[4] was rented out for most of the late 20th century with the daughter of C.J. Wright occupying the second floor. The beautifully carved fireplace once resided at the George B. Wright home in Minneapolis and was a gift to this house at the time of the demolition of the Minneapolis home. It is fitting as George B. Wright drew his last breath in this house when it was in its finally days of completion. The quiet of the country hilltop, after the finishing carpenters and maids were sent away, was just what was needed for the dying man. George had planned out everything including the driveway and even planted the many trees. The lady of this new home, Myra Wright, wife of C.J. stated, George was the "finest man I have ever known."

National Register of Historic Places - C.J. Wright House

Statement of Significance:

The Charles Johnson Wright (C.J. Wright) House at 831 Mount Faith Avenue East in Fergus Falls was begun under the direction of George B. Wright in 1881. G.B. Wright came to the area after having lived in Minneapolis; he was actively involved in the surveying and land-developing of the new town of Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. While the house was still under construction, G.B. Wright's nephew, C.J. Wright, came to Fergus Falls from Vermont for the purpose of working with his uncle on the survey. Shortly thereafter, G.B. Wright contracted typhoid and died, leaving the unfinished house to his nephew. Construction was completed in 1882. It has since continued to be occupied by descendants of the Wright family. They have Carefully preserved the house.

The C.J. Wright House is a fine example of the Stick-style Gothic influence on residential architecture in Minnesota during the late nineteenth century. It has retained such features as decorative scissor-trusses in the gables and black walnut interior woodwork.,

The C.J. Wright House has been designated for preservation by the Fergus Falls Historic Preservation Commission and the City Council.