This home has all the features of a Queen Anne Victorian -- a strong sense of space, oak flooring in the living and dining rooms, tile fireplace hearth, original stained glass bay windows, ornate maple staircase and anaglyphta entryway. Since Steve purchased it for a dollar in a city-sponsored lottery, he’s completely renovated the interior and exterior with a new front porch featuring an original looking double-door front entry, restored original wood siding (artificial siding had covered it), updated mechanicals, custom-built kitchen cabinets, a new breakfast nook and a master bedroom suite with office, master bath and nearby laundry room. 

It took almost 70 hours to sand and refinish the main level floors of this 1887 Victorian Cottage. And with its high ceilings, wood trim with rosettes, and the red, yellow and orange stained glass windows, it is a house worth seeing. Six-foot windows in the dining room usher in ample light. Earlier renovations include a main floor laundry, lots of kitchen cupboards and main floor bathroom. In each of four upstairs bedrooms, angled ceilings from the gabled roof design add variety. 

This home was built in 1884.  The entire home has been or is being restored or remodeled.  Currently, the kitchen, sitting rooms, and the master bath are being remodeled.  The master bedroom, sitting rooms, and the master bath were recently decorated.  This beautiful home has interior doors that are custom made using mostly recycled wood (old growth Douglas Fir salvaged from a school gymnasium).

Built in 1883, this Victorian home was originally built by famous architect Cass Gilbert.  Gilbert is famous for his soaring vision and classical designs.  His designs are evident in landmarks such as the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., the Woolworth Building in New York City, and Minnesota’s own State Capitol Building. 

St. Paul was Gilbert’s hometown and was also the starting point for his career.  Gilbert teamed up with several close friends and designed numerous residences, churches and urban structures around the Twin Cities.  One of the designed residences happened to be 1044 Wilson Avenue.  Gilbert achieved national recognition when he earned the commission to design the state’s capitol.

The Victorian home has had some remodeling done in the kitchen at some point of its life, but the home retains most of its original integrity.  Nick Duncan, the current owner of 1044 Wilson Avenue is early into the process of trying to give the home the feel of its original late Victorian era splendor.

This two-story home was built in 1882 and was extensively rehabbed in 1990.  It was converted from a tri-plex to its original state as a single-family home.  The home is currently going through some remodeling and redecorating.  A detached garage was built, along with a lap pool, and new landscaping/deck in their backyard.

Before this home was built, this land was at one time the site of a post office.  Tom & Laura Dobbs’ home was originally owned by Lyman Dayton. 

Built in 1913, this exquisite home is a must see.  This unique and remarkable home was originally built for Dr. George Earl, founder of the Mounds Park Sanitarium, Midway Hospital, and the Mounds Park Bank.  Bob Parker is currently remodeling and redecorating throughout his home, and also plans on doing some landscaping outside. The 3 bedroom, 89 year-old home has quarter-sawn oak in the dining room, sunroom, and all the hallways.  The living room is of mahogany, and the second floor is of cherry.  This house is a magnificent home with beautiful woodwork and craftsmanship.

Built in 1887 by Matthew J. Leithauser, this Victorian building was a mixed-use commercial building.  Leithauser was a bricklayer of the contracting firm of Leithauser, Fortmeyer, and Hilger.  Matthew and two of his brothers immigrated to St. Paul from Germany.  They all lived within a few blocks of the building.  Matthew J. Leithauser lived at 895 Fremont.  Currently, some of the Leithauser grandchildren still live in the area.

Rehab of the 115-year old building is part of the Third and Maple Streets Gateway Project, which also includes the development of a  “history park” on the triangular lot across Third Street.  The building was remodeled numerous times in its 115-year life.  In winter of 2002, demolition of the interior spaces was completed to prepare for the extensive rehab that will begin later this spring.  The rehab will include restoring Victorian era storefronts, adding windows on the east side of the building restoration of the brick exterior, the development of two commercial spaces on the first floor, and three apartments; 2-one bedroom, and 1-two bedroom on the second floor.  The corner of the building at Maple and Third was cut off and the façade was rebuilt to allow for improvements made to Third Street in the 1930’s.  This gives the façade a different look as the building curves with Third Street.

The original uses of the commercial spaces were as a meat market run by George Meyer on the East side of the building and as a grocery store on the other side with apartments on the upper floors.  Most recently, the building housed a neighborhood tavern and a convenience store. 

Special Home Tour Event

   On Saturday May 4, 2002 meet at 10:30 a.m. in Indian Mounds Park at Earl Street and Mounds Blvd for the Dayton’s Bluff Take a Hike. This month as part of the Mpls/Saint Paul Home Tour we will hike our usual route from Mounds Park through Swede Hollow Park then up onto Dayton’s Bluff and stop at a number of homes on the home tour.  We have some wonderful homes on the tour including a number of beautiful Victorians and a Victorian building in the process of renovation.  Along the way we will share stories and learn some local history of the area. 
   Dayton’s Bluff Take a Hike started in December of 1990 and over the years hundreds of people have attended this event. For more information, call 651-776-0550.

* Part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Home Tour