- Gales Island, Lake Minnetonka Octagon house.
An octagon house was built in 1869 at 1000 Gales Island. This house, the first built on the island, is extant, though severely remodeled.
It was built for Harlow A. Gale in the fall of 1869 and according to his son in 1935, (also named Harlow Gale), "The original octagon house, with kitchen ell, was built by father's brother-in-law, Leonard Rice, and was patterned after an octagon house on the Connecticut River, just above Springfield, the home of the writer, John (Josiah?) G. Holland." It was a 2 story house. Harlow painted it red and changed the name to Bright wood but it never stuck. The exterior was board and batten siding, had a verandah around the front walls and a widow’s walk on the roof.
In 1885 an addition and boathouse was built onto the structure. The rooftop walk was used as a lookout to watch races, fireworks, etc. The home had 3 stone fireplaces and most rooms were wainscoted. The Gale family used it as a retreat even after Harlow's 1900 death when it went to daughter Isabel and son in law Charles Tyron. In 1913 the house was rebuilt . Only a portion of the original octagon was retained for the living room. The exterior was still board and batten but there was no porches nor widow's walk. Its furnishings were more mission style then. In 1949 it was sold to contractors: S J Grove and sons who used it for promotion and summer outings and built other outbuildings and cottages on the island.. They kept it until selling in 1964. Other owners include Michael Ankeny who left it to St Olaf's College in 1967 (he and his wife were residing in the house.). The college sold it in 1973 to Robert Naas. It last sold in 2009 and is a million dollar estate.
Left click on the images below for larger versions.
Source: Ellen Puerzer.
Entered: February, 2014.
- Lake Minnetonka
After a summer or two at the Maplewood Inn, Mr. Woolsey built his own home in 1876 on land now owned by Jan and Peter Lee.
It was a "strange octagonal house that stood there for many years." according to Anna Lindley's reminiscences."
According to "Maplewoods - Glimpses of Our Neighborhood's History" by Nicholas E. Duff, Revised 1996" ---The house was sold to W.W. Parker in 1879 and was known as Woodbine. Later sold to the Quinlan sisters owners of Young Quinlan Ladies Apparel Store in downtown Minneapolis.
Next owner was the Paul Homeyers in 1936 and finally the Lees. Much remodeled, the house still includes some of the original Woolsey construction and thus qualifies as the oldest house in Maplewood (original name of area.)that is still occupied."
The octagonal house with a gable and dormers on the roof has since been modified/ remodeled.
Left click on the images below for larger versions.
Sources: Larry Millett. Ellen Puerzer.
Lisa Stevens Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society -- and, Larry Millett
Entered December, 2013.
Updated: January, 2014
- Minneapolis Octagon house. Built in 1909 by Alexander Shield for $1,500.
Square cupola. Small porch. Located at 1120 29th Avenue NE. A porch was added in 1931,
and asbestos siding in 1937. Currently vinyl sided. The square cupola is gone.
Left click on the images below for larger versions.
Sources: Ellen Puerzer. Oakland Tribute, May, 1932. Special collections,
Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis, MN 55401.
Entered: April, 2011.
- Minneapolis
An octagon was built circa 1850s at 800 University Ave.and later known as the Harry Edward Kent house. (He was born in the home to Susan and Henry M. Kent who presumably built the home.)
Henry Kent resided here as early as 1880 through 1892. Prior his address was 800 3rd SE. (Same home?)
Henry and Harry show up in 1882-86 as living at 800. Harry is shown in City Directories alone beginning in 1894-1917 at 800.
Son Henry Edward Kent--boy on tricycle in pic. Harry was the treasurer of Northwestern Consolidated
Milling Co. On 1867 birdseye map the house stands at 3rd and Aspen. The house stood until at least 1920,
since son Henry is shown in the 1920 census as stil living there. By 1930 he was living on 4th Street.
Left click on the image below for a larger version.
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1879
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1867 plat book
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1898 plat book
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Source: Larry Millett
Entered December, 2013.
Updated: January, 2014
- St. Bonifacius Octagon house. Formerly a barn, built in 1917.
Converted to a house in 1978. Located on Deer Creek Road, off country road 15.
GPS coordinates: 44.951692 -93.727378
Left click on the images below for larger versions.
Source: Ellen Puerzer.
Entered: March, 2010.
Updated: December, 2013
