With Respect to Architecture, August 2006
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With Respect to Architecture MINNESOTA CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS August 2006 The oldest dwelling in Old Frontenac, Locust Lodge, built in 1854. MNSAH Fall Tour 2006 Old Frontenac, Minnesota Saturday, September 30, 2006 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Fall Tour Old Frontenac, Minnesota he Lake Pepin village of Old Frontenac, a National Register historic district, is our destination for MNSAH’s fall tour. The day will feature morning and afternoon tours of the mid-19th century village Tand resort community established by the Garrard family of Ohio. We'll be viewing exteriors and some interiors of a variety of building types, including a rare Minnesota example of the French Galleried style, St. Hubert's Lodge. We'll have lunch overlooking beautiful Lake Pepin, followed by a talk by Ivan Kubista, the author of This Quiet Dust: A Chronicle of Old Frontenac. The creation of a bucolic village By the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, a small, When Israel Garrard and his brother, Lewis, started thriving village was established on the banks of a leisurely trip up the Mississippi River in the sum- Lake Pepin. Of the four Garrard brothers, three mer of 1854, their intention was to hunt and to went off to serve in the Union forces. Lewis stayed enjoy the outdoor life and scenery of the Minnesota behind in Frontenac to oversee the family’s holdings. Territory. The Garrards, members of a prominent Upon their return from the war, three of the brothers Cincinnati family, had both traveled extensively would maintain some sort of seasonal residence at along the edges of the frontier. Israel, especially, Frontenac, but Israel and his family were year- was searching for opportunities in the upper round residents. It was Israel who would eventually Mississippi area. control the form and destiny of the small village as As the river widened suddenly into Lake Pepin, the it became his ideal of a gracious resort where summer two brothers were struck by the area's beauty. They visitors from the east could enjoy the experience of asked the captain of the steamboat to drop them the outdoors without sacrificing comfort or amenities. off at a particularly inviting spot. There the brothers A number of fine residences would be built along discovered a trading post called “Waconia,” operated the low bluff fronting on Lake Pepin, and the old by Evert Westervelt, a Dutch immigrant and cabinet- granary on the point jutting into the lake was maker. Westervelt’s recently completed home, a remodeled to become a hotel, the Frontenac Inn. large Greek Revival structure, was opened to the visitors. Israel Garrard returned the following year, acquired land from Westervelt, and built his own residence adjacent to Westervelt’s. There he set up house- keeping with his new wife, Kate Wood Garrard. In 1857, Israel and Westervelt acquired 4,000 acres, platted a town and changed the name to “Westervelt.” In 1858, Westervelt sold half of his land holdings to Lewis Garrard and Israel sold half of his to another brother, Kenner. In 1858, the town was renamed “Frontenac,” and Westervelt sold his remaining interests in the town to a fourth Garrard brother, Jeptha. Christ Episcopal Church 2 With Respect to Architecture — August 2006 Saturday, September 30 In 1870, the railroad was constructed along the Four buildings of particular significance west bank of the Mississippi River. Israel felt that The village was designated a National Register the introduction of this modern influence would Historic District in 1973. In 2003, a second survey disturb the bucolic serenity of his creation, the vil- was completed. It described 46 historic structures lage of Frontenac. Accordingly, he provided land extant in the historic district. While all of these to the railroad two miles inland and donated a town buildings are important to architectural historians, site there, which became known as Frontenac Station. four of them are particularly worthy of note. This allowed Old Frontenac to become the won- Israel Garrard’s home, St. Hubert’s Lodge, was derful time capsule it remains to this day, com- built in 1855. It is an example of the American- plete with unpaved streets and many buildings French Galleried style, which followed the river dating from the mid-19th century. north from New Orleans. Originally intended as a two-room hunting lodge, it was eventually expanded The registration form for the fall tour to 14 rooms. Israel Garrard resided here until his can be found on page 10. death in 1901. contintued on page 4 St. Hubert’s Lodge With Respect to Architecture — August 2006 3 The home of Evert Westervelt, Locust Lodge, was Fall Tour built in 1854 and is the oldest home remaining in the village. Erected on the stone foundations of the Saturday, September 30 — 8 a.m.-6 p.m. first trading post, it is built in the shape of a cross, Rain or shine and please wear comfortable shoes in the Greek Revival style. Program Originally built in 1857 for Alexander Faribault, 8 a.m. ................Meet the bus at Southtown Greystone was also known as the “Grout House” Office Park (directions below). by early settlers, due to its poured concrete con- 8:15 a.m. ............Depart for Frontenac. struction. In 1861, Faribault sold the house to Lewis Garrard, who a year later sold it to his step- 10 a.m. ..............Arrive in Frontenac. brother, Nathaniel McLean. 10-12 p.m ............Tour of Old Frontenac, con- ducted by members of the Historic Preservation Com- mittee of Florence Township. 12-1 p.m. ..............Lunch overlooking Lake Pepin, followed be a talk by Ivan Kubista, author of This Quiet Dust: A Chronicle of Old Frontenac. 1-4:30 p.m. ..........Tour lakeside structures 4:30 p.m...............Depart for the Twin Cities 6 p.m. ..................Arrive in Twin Cities Greystone, or “Grout House” Cost Christ Episcopal Church, dating from 1868, is the $45 for MNSAH members and $55 for non- only church remaining in the village. It was built in members Includes transportation and lunch. the English Gothic style by Nathaniel McLean and Deadline still has an active congregation. A second church, Please mail your check (payable to MNSAH) and built by Mrs. Sarah McLean, mother of the Garrards, reservation form by September 22 to: Linda was destroyed by fire, but its parsonage remains. Bounds, 2072 Iglehart Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104 In addition to these buildings, there are many others in the village. They range from fine residences of the Questions extended Garrard family to more modest cottages If you have any questions, please contact Ken occupied by laborers and artisans, primarily of German Allsen, 507-288-2171 or [email protected]. origin, brought to the village by Israel Garrard. Meeting Point Logistics Southtown Office Park, 8120 Penn Ave S., The motor coach will depart from Southtown Bloomington, MN (494 and 35W). From 494, Office Park (directions next column) at 8:00 a.m., exit on Penn Ave, proceed south to 81st Street, proceed directly to Old Frontenac, and return to turn right on 81st, and left into the parking lot. the parking lot around 6:00 p.m. Cost is $45 per From 35W, exit on 82nd Street, proceed west to person for members and $55 for nonmembers and Penn Avenue, turn right on Penn, left on 81st includes lunch. To register, complete the registra- Street, and left into the parking lot. The bus will tion form on page 10 and send it, along with a depart from the parking lot on the north side of check made out to MNSAH, to Linda Bounds, the building. 2072 Iglehart Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104. Deadline is September 22. The registration form for the fall tour can be found on page 10. 4 With Respect to Architecture — August 2006 First MNSAH Student Symposium September 16 The first MNSAH Student Symposium will be held Session 2: Rethinking Historicism on Saturday, September 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in 54 1. Lynsi Spaulding (Ph.D. candidate, University of Ralph Rapson Hall on the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota, Twin Cities): “Problematic Spaces: Minneapolis campus. Re-Contextualizing the French Rococo.” The symposium is an opportunity for students to 2. Maria C. Weiring (B.A., University of St. present their high-quality work in the history of the Thomas): “St. Michael’s Church: Explorations built environment before a larger audience. MNSAH of Tradition and Modernity.” board members Victoria Young, Emily Koller, and 3. Susan Johnson-Roehr (Ph.D. candidate, Robert Ferguson have organized the symposium University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign): with hope that it will become an annual event. A “V STU VIDY: Vedic Architectural Theory in call for papers went out to Minnesota departments Postmodern India.” of art history, architecture, and landscape architec- ture, and also nationally on the SAH Listserv. Session 3: Minnesota Institutions Current students and recent graduates were eligible. 1. Nicole Watson (M.A. candidate, University of The symposium will consist of brief (15- to 20- St. Thomas): “A Home Fit for a Hamburger: minute) slide presentations. The papers will be White Castle Building No. 8 and the Early deposited in the MNSAH archive for scholarly use. Architectural History of America’s First Fast- Food Restaurant Chain.” The organizers are encouraged by the quality and diversity of the proposals received. Though no 2. Eleanor Harper (B.A. candidate, Minnesota restrictions were placed on topics, the nine papers State University, Mankato): “Athenian Revival selected fell naturally into three topical sessions. in Midwestern America: Defining Culture within a Minnesota Library.” Session 1: Aspects of the Domestic 1.