Property Record
256 S MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Eugene A. & Elizabeth Walters House |
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| Other Name: | Hello Dolly |
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| Reference Number: | 10345 |
| Location (Address): | 256 S MAIN ST |
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| County: | Walworth |
| City: | Walworth |
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| Year Built: | 1883 |
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| Additions: | C. 1978 |
| Survey Date: | 2010 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. 1970s-PIERCED BARGE BOARDS IN GABLES 2010-A plaque on the house identifies it as the home of Thomas Walters and constructed in 1881. However, following review of deeds and tax roll information, the house was actually built by Thomas's son Eugene A. Walters and his wife Elizabeth in 1883. Walters was born in 1848 in the Town of Linn. He attended the local schools and attended Milton College. In 1876, he made an improvement to the hay carrier which was patented, after which he manufactured and sold the device. In 1871 he married Elizabeth Swinney; together they would have five children. Eugene died in 1919 and Elizabeth four years later. The house then passed on to their daughter Mabel, who worked as a cashier at the Walworth State Bank. She died in 1958. Shortly thereafter, Orlan and Cherry Peterson purchased the home from Mabel's niece and nephew and they remained in the home until selling to the current owner Joyce Moritz in 1978. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Plat Book of Walworth County WI (1891) Standard Atlas of Walworth County WI (1921) Tax Rolls, Town of Walworth, Walworth County, 1882-1884, On file at the Area Research Center, UW-Whitewater. Phillips to Walters, Warranty Deed, 1 December 1882, 67/415. US Federal Census, 1880, 1900-1930. Beckwith, History of Walworth WI (1912); 2:921-23 Cherry Peterson Wetmore, Former owner of 256 Main Street Wetmore to Moritz, Warranty Deed, 14 September 1978, 219/548. “Architecture/History Survey: Reconstruct USH 14: Illinois State Line To I-43.” WHS project number 11-0524/WL. July 2010, rechecked February 2011. Heritage Research, Ltd. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |