Lew A. Huntoon House

This lovely English Cottage style home was constructed between 1910-1912. Lew Huntoon, a successful Moorhead lawyer, businessman, and influential citizen, had it built for his family, and it was later purchased by Concordia College, now serving as the home of the institution’s President.

Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Lew Huntoon attended Carleton College from 1881-1885.[1] After graduating in 1885, he became the superintendent of schools in Moorhead, and kept that job for three years while he studied law under Franklin J. Burnham, one of Moorhead’s most prestigious lawyers.[2] Huntoon married Carrie Deming in 1888, and began officially practicing law that same year.[3]

Huntoon quickly established himself as a very prominent citizen. In 1893 he started working for First National Bank and soon became indispensable there. He served as County Commissioner in the 5th district and was appointed to the state normal school board by Governor Eberhart. He even became President of the First National Bank of Moorhead.[4]

Before her engagement to Lew, Carrie also attended Carleton College, graduating in 1885. She was hired by the Moorhead school district to teach at Sharp High School, and she worked there for three years. The Huntoons married in 1888 when Carrie was twenty-three, and due to the customs of the time, this meant Carrie had to give up teaching. She and Lew had four daughters, and Carrie became very involved in Moorhead society, keeping busy with charity work and other organizations.[5]

The house was completed in 1912, after two years of construction and just one year before Lew’s death. It is an English cottage style home, which are characterized by multi-gabled and steeply pitched roofs, brick or stone details on the exteriors, tall windows, and an overall asymmetrical appearance, all of which are evident in the Huntoon House.[6] 

After Lew’s death, Carrie continued living in the home for many years. It was purchased by Concordia College in 1945 and has been the college president’s residence since 1951.[7]

[1]Carleton College, “Hon. Lew A. Huntoon," The Alumni Magazine, pg 50, August 24, 2010. ihttps://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Alumni_Magazine/HicPAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0

[2]Audrey Jones, “Carrie Deming,” Clay County Historical Society Newsletter, July 1994, 5-8. 

https://www.hcscconline.org/uploads/1/1/4/2/114274013/jul-aug94.pdf

[3] Carleton College, “Hon. Lew A. Huntoon," 51.

[4] Carleton College, “Hon. Lew A. Huntoon," 51.

[5] Audrey Jones, “Carrie Deming."

[6] Patricia Poore, “The Tudor Revival Style," Old House Online, Oct 26 2018, https://www.oldhouseonline.com/house-tours/tudor-revival-style#:~:text=American%20Tudor%20Revival%20is%20among%20the%20most%20recognizable,through%20the%20Gothic%20Revivals%20of%20the%2019th%20century.

[7] Audrey Jones, “Carrie Deming."