Property Record
235 N MARTIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Levi E. Allen Residence |
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| Reference Number: | 10299 |
| Location (Address): | 235 N MARTIN ST |
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| County: | Walworth |
| City: | Sharon |
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| Year Built: | 1875 |
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| Additions: | C. 1878 |
| Survey Date: | 2005 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. BRACKETS UNDER EAVES. ARCHED MOULDED WINDOW HOODS. Previously surveyed in 1974 and mapped as 66 on DOT SHARON. Comprised of three "blocks" and no less than two periods of construction, this house rises from a limestone rock foundation and is sheathed with clapboard. Starting from the north, the first block - like all three sections - is topped with a hipped roof. The central (east-facing) entrance of this section is sheltered by a circa 1910s, open porch with column supports. A single window is located to either side of the side-lighted entry, while a series of four, symmetrically arranged openings line the second floor. Openings along the first floor are topped with straight, raised windowhoods, while the second-floor windows feature a segmental-arch hood; windows are largely two over two, double hung sashes. The next block to the south is slightly setback from the first and consists of a door and a window along the first level and a pair of windows on the second floor. A final, southern section is setback from the second and features a single window along both levels. Sanborn maps, as well as a survey photo from the 1970s, indicate that a porch once sheltered the center portion of the home. The house is currently under restoration/renovation. Ginny Hall identifies this as the S.S. Blodgett Residence. Although Blodgett did indeed live here from 1881 to his death in 1900, he purchased the home from Levi E. Allen. The local newspaper read "S.S. Blodgett purchased the Levi Allen house in which D.E. Richardson now resides. He will make a good citizen...Mr. B. takes possession this fall." Hence, returning to tax records, it appears that the house was located on this lot between 1874 and 1875. It is possible that it was moved here from another location. As well, locals report that the south addition to this house was built as a boarding house for Sharon teachers. Apparently the interior of the addition is largely free-standing from the main block and therefore, the boarding house story seems plausible. Unfortunately no info was found to support that supposition. Levi Allen was elected to serve as Walworth County Clerk of Courts in the fall of 1877 and he then moved to Elkhorn; however, he retained ownership of the house until selling to Blodgett in 1881. It would seem plausible that Allen built the addition after his departure to Elkhorn and it was utilized as teacher's quarters as he was also renting out the main house. Mrs. Emily Blodgett sold the house to Dr. Clinton P. Ives between 1908 and 1909; Ives was a veterinarian. Between 1920 and 1925, the house passed on to his daughter Florence and son-in-law Hans Larsen. Larsen worked first as a grocer and later as an insurance agent. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Ginny Hall, Walking Around Sharon (2001). Tax Rolls, Town of Sharon, 1874, 1875. The Sharon Reporter (re: Allen to Blodgett), 26 May 1881, 1/2. Bio sketch on Levi Allen, in Butterfield, History of Walworth County (1882), 498. "Death of S.S. Blodgett." The Sharon Reporter, 5 April 1900. Bio sketch on C.P. Ives in Beckwith, History of Walworth County (1912), 901-02. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |