Charles Johnson House, 3201 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Edit with form | |
|
Charles Johnson House | |
 | |
|
| |
 | |
|
| |
| Address: | 3201 Park Avenue |
| Neighborhood/s: | Central, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| City/locality- State/province |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| County- State/province: |
Hennepin County, Minnesota |
| State/province: | Minnesota |
| Country: | United States |
| Year built: | 1906 |
| Primary Style: | Colonial Revival |
| Secondary Style: | Queen Anne |
| Historic Function: | House/single dwelling or duplex |
| Current Function: | House/single dwelling or duplex |
| Architect or source of design: | Septimus J. Bowler |
| Material of Exterior Wall Covering: | Wood |
| Material of Roof: | Asphalt Shingles |
| Material of Foundation: | Limestone |
| First Owner: | Charles and Jennie Johnson |
| Part of the Site: | Park Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
INTRODUCTION
According to Minneapolis building permits, original owners Charles and Jennie Johnson commissioned Architect Septimus J. Bowler to design this Park Avenue home in 1906. Construction was completed in September of that same year at a total cost of $5,160.
ARCHITECT
Septimus J. Bowler was a prominent local architect, having designed a number of important structures that today are listed on both the Local and National Register of Historic Places, including the Richardsonian Romanesque-style Montefiore Cemetery Chapel at 4153 3rd Avenue South, built in 1890; the Beaux-Arts/Classical Revival-style First Church of Christ Scientist at 614-20 East 15th Street, built in 1897; and the Exotic Revival-style Mikro Kodesh Synagogue at 1000 Oliver Avenue North, built in 1926.
Septimus Bowler began his career as a carpenter under Minneapolis Master Builder Barclay Cooper from 1884 to 1885, before branching out on his own and pursuing a career in architectural design. By 1888, Bowler was a full-fledge architect, and he continued in this line of work until his death in 1940.
ORIGINAL OWNER
Minneapolis City Directories list Charles Johnson as what must have been a rather successful Saloon Owner. Charles and Jennie lived at 3201 Park Avenue with their daughters, Olivia and Hazel, until 1910, where they employed a live-in servant named Christine Swedland.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE
Due to its primarily symmetrical exterior, 3201 Park Avenue at once appears Colonial Revival in style; however, its many ornate architectural details, various bump outs, and oriel windows reflect elements of the Queen Anne style. Of particular interest are the unusual Eastlake bullseye-style decorations on the verge boards and second floor Oggee arch window muntins.
