116 North 2nd Avenue
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Current building.
Source: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI31
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
This property has
a history of divided ownership until 1889 when L.N. Washburn -the foreman of
the Sturgeon Bay Lumber Company - acquired a unified title. A.W. Lawrence, Sr.
constructed the original house on this site in 1868/1869. Lawrence was one of
the pioneer entrepreneurs in the Sturgeon Bay area. He was connected with
lumbering, commerce, manufacturing, and banking. He sold the house to Washburn,
who managed Lawrence's store, in 1880. This large, two-story dwelling is of
frame construction with white painted bevel siding. It has been modified
several times over the years but it still retains the architectural character
of the turn of the century. This building was originally linked, in the manner
of a so-called "Connecticut barn", to a woodshed and a stable which
is still standing. Subsequent modifications included, by 1911, the addition of
a simply detailed veranda topped by a plainly detailed balustrade. This house,
now converted to commercial use, is an excellent example of the type of large
residential building of wood that was once common throughout the District
before commercial development intensified.1