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The St. Croix County Historical Society (SCCHS) was co-founded by Genevieve Cline Day (1884-1967) and Willis Miller (1918-2008) in 1947. The historical society was first housed in the basement of the Hudson Carnegie Library and in 1964 the Society acquired the Octagon House for use as a museum and a permanent home for SCCHS.The Octagon House was built for Judge John Shaw Moffat and his wife, Nancy Bennet Moffat, New Yorkers who arrived in Hudson in 1854 with their young daughter, Mary. Four generations of the musically inclined Moffat-Hughes family lived in the home over a span of 102 years.The Octagon House is a fine example of the novel eight-sided dwelling popular in America in the mid-1800s. Such a house was considered conducive to healthy living as light and air could enter from eight directions.The Museum is open for tours from May-October and December (prior to Christmas). In addition to the gracious, restored house with Victorian era furnishings, the museum complex includes the Garden House with its 19th century life, domestic arts, carpenter, Blacksmith, and general store tableaux; and the Carriage House, which includes the Museum Gift Shop and Research Center. All structures are set amid expansive, beautifully maintained gardens.LEARN MORE...<h3>RECENT POSTS</h3><ul><li> Images of Hudson: Then &amp; Now</li></ul>

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The introduction should be an original one-paragraph summary of the history of the Octagon House The backstory can offer context along with a few details about one might see.

Octagon House Museum

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This Queen Anne style home, now a museum, is a prominent landmark in Superior, Wisconsin. It was built in 1891 for Martin Pattison and his family at a cost of three million dollars in today's numbers. Prominent exterior features include the four-story turret and the widow's watch. The interior features gilded murals, a grand entrance hall, an open staircase, marble and tile fireplace, and stained glass windows. The first floor has been restored. The  master's bedroom is located on the second floor and the third floor is dedicated to the period between 1920-1968 when the mansion was a Children's Home.

Farlawn Mansion

The Old Firehouse and Police Museum in Superior, Wisconsin is housed in a former fire station built in 1898. It was the last station built in Superior during the 19th century. Admission is free and visitors can expect to spend about 45 minutes there. The museum features fire fighting equipment and memorabilia. It also houses several rigs such as a Fire Chief’s nineteenth century horse-drawn buggy, a 1906 Ahrens Steam Pumper, a 1919 LaFrance Ladder Truck, and a 1944 L Model Mack with a Hale pump. The first floor houses these rigs. The second floor shows the development and improvement of fire fighting equipment, police and fire memorabilia, and it also houses the State of Wisconsin Police and Fire Hall of Fame.  

Old Firehouse and Police Museum

The historic Duluth Public Library (formerly known as the Carnegie library building) opened in 1902 as the first stand-alone library in Duluth. However, the genesis of Duluth's library system occurred in 1869 when a small group of pioneer businessmen in Duluth organized a reading room in an upstairs room of a store building. After several moves and hiring the first librarian in 1890, the library quickly expanded. By 1902, with the help of a large donation from Andrew Carnegie, the library finally opened its first exclusive library building.After opening the 1869 reading room, the board moved the library twice during the 1870s and '80s. Finally, in 1890, the library signed a five-year lease to occupy the second floor of the old Masonic Temple Building. A month after moving into the new facility, the library held 3,200 books managed by the newly hired librarian Olin S. Davis of Topeka, Kansas. Davis spent several months selecting and cataloging books, as well as maintaining a reading room equipped only with a few newspapers and books. Under Davis' management, the first free public library books became available to Duluth residents in October of 1890. Increasing demands for space and items pushed the library board to seek a larger building, preferably a permanent structure they no longer had to share. In 1899, Andrew Carnegie, as part of his many philanthropic endeavors, provided two payments amounting to $75,000 (equal to roughly $2 million in 2020) that made it possible to construct a new facility in 1902. After five years, the library amassed more than 40,000 volumes. The Duluth Public Library served as the first of three Carnegie libraries to open in Duluth; two branches opened in 1912 and 1917. The historic library expanded in 1927 to accommodate more books and facilities.The Neo-Classic design of the building itself is among the most exquisite of Duluth's public buildings. Marble floors, lavish decor, and an eye-catching staircase exist as many of the building's striking interior features. It's most prominent exterior item involves the large dome in the center of the library. Still, the dome's beauty did not match its functionality. Throughout its history, the dome has routinely leaked and needed significant repairs. The Carnegie library served as Duluth's main library until 1980 when it relocated to a new downtown. Renovations to the library allowed it to transition into an office building, though the property has changed hands and undergone numerous renovations well into the twenty-first century.

The historic Duluth Public Library building, or Carnegie Building, opened in 1902 after Andrew Carnegie donated $75,000 (nearly $2 million in terms of 2020 dollars) to the cause. The library in Duluth started as nothing more than a small reading room in 1869 before moving several times before moving into its own building in '02. The library remained in the historic structure until 1980 and since then has undergone several renovations and changed ownership; it mainly functions as a home to offices.  

Duluth Public Library (Carnegie Building)

The SS Meteor is the last remaining ship of the "whaleback" design, which was pioneered by captain Alexander McDougall. The hulls of whaleback ships were long and rounded, resembling a whale. The Meteor was constructed in 1896 in Superior and sailed the Great Lakes until 1969. She and other whalebacks were designed to ship large quantities of cargo. In the Meteor's case, she transported coal, grain, sand, gravel, and gas during her lifetime. She had three names during her lifetime, the last one, meteor, was given by the Cleveland Tanker Company. In 1969 she ran aground and damaged the hull and the company did not want to repair the old ship. She was transported to Superior in 1971 to become a museum and rests on Barker Island. She was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Visitors can go on tours inside the ship and view exhibits on Great Lakes shipwrecks and learn about the history of shipbuilding.

SS Meteor

Construction of the cathedral&nbsp;began in 1894 and was completed in 1896. The Felgemaker organ was installed in 1898. It was built on the same site as a&nbsp;small, wooden church, built in 1870, which was&nbsp;the first Roman Catholic parish church&nbsp;in Duluth. This building burned down in 1892. The new cathedral served as the diocese's seat of authority until 1957, when a new cathedral was built. The cathedral is located in the Central Hillside Neighborhood, which, by the mid-1900s&nbsp;had become increasingly poor. The sisters who resided there and the church's staff&nbsp;began serving food to&nbsp;the inner city residents. These efforts eventually became the only food bank in Duluth. Neighborhood residents also sought medical help. As a result, nurses from nearby St. Mary's Hospital came to the church to treat those who were sick. Eventually, these efforts became the city's only free clinic, now called the Lake Superior Community Health Center. The church also became a place for music and education for the&nbsp;community. Professional musicians and started to inquire about playing the organ after hours. By the 1970s, a quarter choir group began attracting visitors to the cathedral. The church's organist, Joan Conelly, bought the cathedral for $1 and thereby&nbsp;saved the cathedral from demolition. Today, the it continues to be an important gathering place for the community. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sacred Heart Cathedral, now Sacred Heard Music Center, was built in 1896 and served as a Roman Catholic church until 1985. It is one the remaining Neo-gothic revival style churches in Minnesota. It is famous for its Felgemaker organ which was installed in 1898. The cathedral and the Cathedral School, which is across the street, were named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The Christian Brothers Home, built in 1907 and located directly adjacent to the school, was added to the same registry listing in 2005 which is now titled: Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sacred Heart School and Christian Brothers Home. 

The Sacred Heart Music Center hosts 12-15 concerts per year and seats 400 people. Regional and international artists perform in the venue, which also has a state-of-the-art recording studio. The center is also hosts weddings, receptions, business meetings, private parties, and is also a teaching space for members of the community, schools, and organizations. 

Sacred Heart Cathedral (Sacred Heart Music Center)

Built in 1847 by John Banfill, the Greek Revival-style, two-story Banfill–Locke House initially served as an inn and base for logging operations northwest of St. Anthony Falls. Due to its proximity to Minnesota’s first Territorial Road and the Red River ox-cart trails, the inn became a welcomed wayside rest stop.Located on a wooded site near the East River Road along Rice Creek, the house features two chimneys, more than two dozen windows, gables with pediments, and a formal entry room with three parts. Its floor plan follows an “L” shape. Its owner, Banfill, was elected to the first Minnesota State Senate in 1848.An account provided by E. S. Seymour, a visitor to the tavern in 1849, reveals that in its first years of operation, the popular stop lacked adequate stable space. Consequently, many travelers’ horses and mules remained in the open during the winter of 1848–1849. By the time of Seymour’s visit, Banfill had expanded his stall space to accommodate forty horses and mules. Another visitor complimented Banfill on his “good old sparkling Madeira.” Travelers filled the Banfill house every night on their way to destinations along the road, including Fort Gaines (renamed Fort Ripley in 1850), a Chippewa (Ojibwe) Indian Agency, and trading posts, in addition to private homes.Between 1857 and 1875 it is uncertain who owned the property. In 1876, however, William F. Brown married Laura M. Locke and purchased it. The couple maintained a dairy herd and lived in the house while Brown also worked as postmaster until his death in 1887. His wife and children lived in the house until 1912, when Laura sold it to her brother, Cassius M. Locke.Locke and his wife, Roberta Pratt Locke, raised registered Jersey dairy cattle on the farm and used it as a summer home. They made a few additions to the house, including front and rear porches, kitchen and bathroom electrical service, a pump, a water closet, and a sewage disposal system. Most of these improvements took place in the 1930s.Locke died in 1947 and Roberta in 1959. The property remained unoccupied until 1967, when Anoka County purchased it. Currently the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts uses the facility in support of established and developing artists by hosting speakers, classes, and residents in addition to gallery space.In 2017, both the interior and exterior of the home remain essentially unaltered. The interior consists of a large communal room on the first floor that contains an entryway, dining room, living room, kitchen, and service room. Seven inter-connected rooms make up the second floor. The entire structure lacks any form of modern central heating. Instead, stoves feeding into three chimneys provide warmth.

The Banfill–Locke House in Fridley, Minnesota stands on the east bank of the Mississippi River. The property has been used as many things since its original construction in the 1840s, including a tavern, a dairy farm, a private home, and an art gallery. Currently the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts uses the facility in support of established and developing artists by hosting speakers, classes, and residents in addition to gallery space.  As of 2017, both the interior and exterior of the home remain essentially unaltered. The interior consists of a large communal room on the first floor that contains an entryway, dining room, living room, kitchen, and service room. Seven inter-connected rooms make up the second floor. The entire structure lacks any form of modern central heating. Instead, stoves feeding into three chimneys provide warmth.

Banfill-Locke House

Nehemiah Clark came to St. Cloud in 1856 and opened the town's first general store. He got into the lumber industry after the Civil War, specifically focusing on the processing of trees for shipment. He became quite successful and in the 1870s and 1880s was one of the leading lumbermen in Minnesota. During these years, Clarke also worked as a corporate director for a number of railroads and also co-founded a bank in 1891, which operated until 1895. In addition to his business interests, Clarke also became interested in raising livestock including pure bred cattle, hogs, sheep, and Clydesdale horses. Two of his horses, named Prince Patrick and Queen Lily, won the world championship prize at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Minneapolis architect Charles S. Sedgwick designed the house for Clarke and construction cost $30,000, which was a princely sum for the time. The house soon became the talk of the town, with stories about parties, dances, and other events written in the newspapers. The third floor, which was originally a ballroom, was converted into apartments in 1950. Later owners converted the second floor into apartments as well. The house now has eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and three suites.

This large home is the historic Nehemiah P. Clarke House, which was built in 1893 by prominent local lumberman and banker Nehemiah P. Clarke. It is a beautiful example of Queen Anne architecture, featuring a red-brick facade, an octagonal corner tower, and a front veranda with a carriage porch (originally, this allowed people to get out of carriages and not touch the ground). Other features include stained glass windows, elaborate interior woodwork, and four fireplaces, only one of which still works. The house, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, is a private home but can be admired from the street. 

Nehemiah P. Clarke House

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The French and Indian war took place in America. It involved conflicts between the French and English living within the American colonies. The tension originated from the conflicts brewing overseas between the mother countries of the American colonies, and eventually reached American soil. The French and Indian war is called the French and Indian war due to the Native Americans aiding both parties in the conflicts. The Native Americans bore the brunt of this conflict.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fort Bon Secours was established by Nicolas&nbsp;Perrot. It was only occupied for four to five years before being abandoned. A new fort was created with the same name by the same individual, but was also only occupied for 4 to 5 years. The location of the fort now serves as a reenactment sight of French life during the French and Indian War. One can experience the essence of French life when visiting this location or can take part in the different activities and events offered at the location.

Fort Bon Secours is a battle site of the French and Indian War. The site was founded by Nicolas Perrot. The Fort was occupied for four or five years. It was then abandoned. Another fort was created using the same name, but also lived a short life of being occupied for only four to five years. The location of the original Fort Bon Secours is now a tourist location of French life during the time of the French and Indian War.

Fort Bon Secours

The Gateway Arch, designed by the late Eero Saarinen, soars 630 feet above the banks of the Mississippi River, serving as the centerpiece of the Thomas Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Saarinen’s submission was selected ahead of 172 others in an architectural competition to select the most appropriate design to symbolize St. Louis’s role as the Gateway to the West. Sadly, the Finnish born Saarinen, a graduate of Yale University, passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1961 and never lived to see his masterpiece. The Jefferson Memorial site was set in motion in 1935 by
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to celebrate Jefferson’s role in the
Louisiana Purchase and America’s territorial expansion to the West, but the
lasting effects of World War II and the onset of the Korean War in 1950 halted
the completion of the project for several years. During that time the necessary
funds were raised to realize the Arch, still the tallest monument in the United
States, with Roosevelt chipping in $3 from the government to match every dollar
raised by the city of St. Louis. The inverted catenary arch, the shape formed
by a chain of flexible cord hung between two points, was finally completed in October
of 1965 at a cost of $13 million. Saarinen’s stainless steel Arch is more complex and subtle
than the pure geometric form of a catenary arch, with heavier links on its ends
and progressively smaller links towards its apex, making its shape much rounder
than a pure catenary. The Arch was built in triangular sections with larger
sections at the base that continue to get smaller as it works its way up 630
feet. All 142 sections are equilateral triangles of carbon steel on the
interior and stainless steel on the exterior, held together by welded steel rods.
The small spaces between the double walls are filled with concrete up to the
300-foot level on each side, and each section is welded to the one above it.
The result is that the structural framework is the steel and concrete skin
itself.





The outer width of the Gateway Arch, from the North leg to
the South leg, matches the height of the arch at 630 feet. Each leg at the base
is 54 feet in dimension, with the apex piece of the arch at 17 feet. The margin
of error to make sure the constructed legs would meet at the apex was a mere
1/64th of an inch, incredibly realized with the relatively crude instruments
available at the time. The need for a high-strength, flexible mortar from
LATICRETE for the surrounding pavers is magnified by the Arch’s need to sway in
high winds. In 150 mile-per-hour winds, the Arch will sway a maximum of 18
inches, nine in each direction.The two bases of the Arch are equilateral triangles (triangles with three 54 foot-long sides). At the top of the arch, the triangle is only 17 feet long on each side. Visitors enter the arch from an underground Visitor’s center, and can travel to the observation deck at the top in a 40-passenger tram that runs inside the arch.

The Gateway Arch is a monument to western expansion and is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial which pays tribute to the Louisiana Purchase. Intended to revitalize the crumbling St. Louis riverfront, city boosters envisioned a memorial park and monument as early as 1933. Construction began in 1963 and the arch was completed in 1965. At 630 feet, the Gateway Arch is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. It is also the world's tallest arch.

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Octagon House Museum

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