Walter L. and Alice C. Sweeney Home

This 1,370 sq. ft. Colonial Revival style house and single car garage was built in 1940 for Walter L. and Alice C. Sweeney for about $6,550. The Sweeneys purchased the land from Efrim Semutkin, a widowed Russian immigrant, who purchased the land in 1927 from Fred Pabst Jr., heir to the Pabst Brewing Company, and his wife Ida.

Walter Sweeney was a dentist whose practice was located about three blocks away, also on E. Townsend. In addition to their sons, Mrs. Sweeney’s mother, Helen Eigner, also lived with the family. In 1943, the family sold the house to Emma Fitzgerald and between 1950 and today, the house has changed hands a dozen times.

The Colonial Revival style originated in the eastern United States and was popular between 1890 and 1955. The Sweeney house reflects the style with the hipped roof and symmetrical, brick veneer façade. The house is a smaller version of the typical Colonial Revival, with only one window on either side of the central entrance and three windows at the second floor. On the interior, the dining room, living room and foyer retain the original crown molding and wood floors. There are original cabinets in the living room and corner china cabinets in the dining room.

Except for the installation of air conditioning in 1973, there is no record to date any of the interior changes, including updates to the kitchen.

Researched by Mark Sekula