Neighborhood
Harambee
Architect/Builder
Unknown
Year Built
1911
Architectural Style
American Foursquare with Craftsman Influence
This stately American Foursquare with Craftsman influence was built for Grain Commissioner William Eiteneier and his wife, Elizabeth, in 1911. William grew up on Third Street and worked his way up from clerk to commissioner. The second owner, George W. Neilson, was a prominent physician who lived with his wife and two children.
The American Foursquare was a popular from the mid-1890s to the late 1930s. It was a direct reaction to the ornate Victorian styles and was simple in both ornament and plan. It was economical to build and ideal for compact city lots, offering ample living space on a smaller footprint. A typical plan included a first floor with reception hall, living room, dining room and kitchen. The second floor held three bedrooms and a bathroom.
The interior of this house retains many of the original features including hardwood floors, living room fireplace, stained glass windows, dining room paneling and built-in buffet. The largest change on the interior is the kitchen which was remodeled in the mid-1960s to expand its footprint. The rear pantry and entry were removed to make room for additional cabinet space and the staircase was enclosed to make room for a refrigerator. The current owners replaced the floors and painted the cabinets.
Researched by Monica Ceille