Property Record
920 S FARWELL ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | William Dean House |
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| Other Name: | Dan Freund Law Office, Griffin House LLC |
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| Reference Number: | 41215 |
| Location (Address): | 920 S FARWELL ST |
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| County: | Eau Claire |
| City: | Eau Claire |
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| Year Built: | 1885 |
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| Additions: | 1895 |
| Survey Date: | 1981 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | Wood Beam |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | William Comstock |
| 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, State Historic Preservation Office. A fine Queen Anne residence possessing the picturesque quality that distinguishes the style. The two story brick and shingle-covered dwelling features multiple, interesting gables, a cantilevered gable, and a bay window accented by metal cresting. William Dean who erected this home in 1885 is listed in the city directories (1880-1892) as first the superintendent of the wood-working department of the Phoenix Manufacturing Company and then in 1884 as vice-president of the firm. (Perhaps this promotion prompted the construction of this home?) In 1893, Dean sold the home to Michael Griffin, a prominent city lawyer and former state senator. He also served as a First Lieutenant in the Civil War under General William T. Sherman and was wounded in the battle of Bald Hill. Griffin, of Irish descent, settled in Eau Claire in 1876 and began his practice of law. He served as Eau Claire's city attorney from 1878 to 1880 and in 1879 was elected state senator. He was elected congressman in 1894, filling the unfinished term of George B. Shaw and re-elected in 1896. Griffin was also appointed the state's quartermaster general in 1889 and was a very active member of the G.A.R.. Griffin died in 1899. (A,C) The house was converted into an attorney's office in 1998. 2016- "This house, a robust interpretation of the Queen Anne style, comprises a red brick first story and shingled upper stories and gables. The somewhat irregular plan disguises a highly formal suite of rooms on the main floor. William Dean worked for the Graham & White Sash and Door Company, which became Phoenix Manufacturing. He worked as a general manager and eventually vice president. Michael Griffin, a former State Senator and City Attorney, purchased the house in 1893. Griffin was First Lieutenant and served under General William T. Sherman during the Civil War and was wounded in the battle of Bald Hill. He died in 1899; Governor Edward Schofield and other state dignitaries attended his funeral. The house was purchased by Deborah and Daniel Freund in 1998 and converted into an attorney's office." -"Eau Claire Landmarks: Designated Historic Properties in Eau Claire, Wisconsin", Eau Claire Landmarks Commission, P.O. Box 5148, 2016. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Barland, Lois. 1960 Sawdust City, p. 416. Self-Guided Tour of the Sawdust City, 1977. (B) 1880-1892 Eau Claire City Directories. (C) History of Eau Claire County, 1914, pp. 273-274. Eau Claire Leader Telegram 12/13/1998. Eau Claire Landmarks newsletter, 1999-2000. Eau Claire Landmarks booklet published by the Landmarks Commission in 2002. William Comstock Architect - see plans in his book “Modern Architectural Design and Details”, pages 73-75. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |