The Historic District

Well, another one of us made it over from WG.

We've been restoring this historic house for the past seven years. We're getting closer, but you're never really done. It was built in 1895 for a prominent Saint Paul attorney who tried at least one case at the US Supreme Court. The house was designed by Cass Gilbert, a prominent architect who also designed the MN State capitol and the US Supreme Court building among others. The house was featured in the AIA periodical shortly after it was built which is when this photo was taken:



This photo is from 1973:


And finally a recent photo:


You can follow our adventures restoring the house on my blog.

Welcome! That is a some abode!

Wow, that is a great looking house, but I have a question.

I see in the first old photo a railing at the very top, that you have a widow walk. Is there a door that gets to that place or was it just decorative, and are you going to replace it?

Love the grand front porch from that first photo. Isn't it crazy how things change over time.

Excellent work.

Do you have a link to your blog?

Nicholas wrote:I see in the first old photo a railing at the very top, that you have a widow walk. Is there a door that gets to that place or was it just decorative, and are you going to replace it?

There was an access hatch to the widows walk, however it was made non-functional at some point in the past. According to the owners' son from that period, the porches, and railings were removed in the 1930s. There was also a fire in the attic in the 1940s. Either could have been when the hatch was closed up.

We plan to replace the railing over the front door at some point and I'm half thinking about restoring the porches on either side of the front door.

Sara wrote:Do you have a link to your blog?

I've updated my signature to include a link to my blog. Enjoy!

As a backup , try here: http://fixfarrington.blogspot.com

the place is fantastic. Loved the ceiling in the entry hall. How stunning!
I remember when you were putting in the heated floor but seeing pictures of
the tubing layout is much more helpful... Great in the winter....

Glad you came over to the 'hood.

Wackyshack wrote:the place is fantastic. Loved the ceiling in the entry hall. How stunning!
I remember when you were putting in the heated floor but seeing pictures of
the tubing layout is much more helpful... Great in the winter....

Glad you came over to the 'hood.

Glad to be here!

We have electric in-floor heat in the "Kid's Bath" and it works wonderfully. The master bath is just too big to make electric cost effective and we already have hot water radiators. I'll post more when I get the panel all hooked up.

If you like the entry ceiling, checkout what happened to the dining room ceiling late last week...

MJT that is a fantastic result.. gold and silver ceiling. How does the light dance on the ceiling??? Looks wonderful and you are right give a warm color.

I've seen your blog I want to say about 2 years back. Nice to finally "meet"! Very nice place you got!