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This is a contributing entry for Carbondale Historic Architecture Walking Tour 1A and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.

In 1891 Eugene Prince began acquiring the lots at 737 Colorado Avenue. He was a carpenter as well as a rancher, who became known throughout the area as a skilled taxidermist. In 1892 he married Bertha Lang, they built the home around 1894 and then had four sons. Although the family moved across town in 1900 and Eugene passed away in 1903, Bertha did not sell until 1907. Julia Fuller sold it the following year to Edna Sweet, possibly as an investment.


Sky, Building, Plant, Window

Edna and her husband Frank were prominent town members, and her legacy was the book that she wrote - Carbondale Pioneers 1879-1890, still used as a primary reference today. Gardner and Mary Hudson were the following owners - he operated farm machinery and also played the violin. Mary provided music for town dances. The home would next belong to Harry and Velma Phillips, followed by Dorothy Cerise. It is likely that this home remained unchanged for many years. The Late Victorian style is a gabled ell (the "L" shape is created where the front and side gables meet). Homes of this era ranged from simple to elaborately decorated with bracketing, fish scale shingling, gingerbread, or stained glass windows. At some point, narrow wood clapboard was covered with metal siding and the bay window topped with a bell cast copper roof.