Property Record
530 LA CROSSE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Ole T. and Christine Kraabel House |
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| Reference Number: | 72473 |
| Location (Address): | 530 LA CROSSE ST |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | Onalaska |
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| Year Built: | 1890 |
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| Survey Date: | 19952015 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Aluminum/Vinyl Siding |
| Architect: | Lars Osgaard (builder) |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | 2015: vinyl siding (was clapboard) & new windows Ole is identified as born in 1849 and immigrating to the US with his family in 1867. He began working in a sawmill located on French Island and in a few years became head sawyer and foreman. He and Christine operated a boarding house on the island for mill workers. Although a date of construction is not noted in the bio information on Ole Kraabel, the following was noted about the house: "Ole designed a good, substantial house for himself in Onalaska. He hand-picked the lumber coming in and going out of the mill. Ole's house was built by Lars Osgaard, Ole's uncle, and Lars' sons, August, Olaf & Julius. There was elaborate hand carved ornamentation over the doorways, on the eaves and in the interior. Ole Kraabel also designed the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Onalaska, which was built by Lars and his sons." Ole is still listed in the 1893 Onalaska city directory, but that same year, he and his family moved to Parkland, Washington, where Ole operated a general store, known as Kraabel and Erickson. He was also the founder and one of the principal owners of the Parkland Mill company. He died on 18 June 1903. Christine died on 25 April 1927. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Assessor cites a construction date of 1880; however, based on appearance, it was not likely built until closer to 1890. O.T. and Christine Kraabel (noted as living in Washington State) to Anton W. Kommerstad, Warranty Deed, 1 April 1903 (Book 106/Page 201); for $1,000. A.W. transferred the property to his wife Elizabeth on 20 January 1904; he died on 7 February 1904. Elizabeth sold the property to Eugene E. Harris on 11 August 1910, Warranty Deed (118/202), for $1,650. On 20 October 1920 (139/551), Eugene and Frances Harris sold the property to B.B. Smith for $2,600. "Ole T. Kraabel," Biographical information compiled by the Kraabel family, Provided via email by Wanda Weinberg, Ohio. Copy on file at Heritage Research, Ltd. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |