Ben and Margaret Stone Boathouse
8810 County Road N, Town of Plum Lake, Vilas County
Date of construction: 1928
In 1928, Ben and Margaret Stone, of Tripoli, Wisconsin, constructed a two-slip, wet boathouse on the south bank of Plum Lake. The Stone Boathouse stands out when compared to the approximately 20 other boathouses on Plum Lake, which are typically one-story and more vernacular in design. Even though boathouses are largely utilitarian in design, elements of the Craftsman, Rustic, and Queen Anne styles are seen incorporated into boathouse design in Northern Wisconsin. The Stone Boathouse displays elements of the Craftsman style in the broad hip roof, exposed rafters, clapboard exterior, and multi-light casement windows. It is one of the best intact examples of a two-story wet boathouse on Plum Lake.
Boathouses are a resource uniquely tied to the resorts and summer homes of Vilas County. Just as garages were built to house automobiles, boathouses were constructed to protect boats from the elements. Wet boathouses in northern Wisconsin are typically one- or two-story frame buildings with hip or front gable roofs. The buildings are located over water and typically rest on a foundation of wood pilings. The interior of the first level, where the boats are docked, is often unfinished with exposed wall framing. The second level is often a living space and typically includes bands of windows providing views of the lake. In the Stone Boathouse, an elevated walkway and exterior staircase provide access to an upstairs open recreational room.
This house is private property. Please respect the privacy of the owners.
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