John Schurch House, 3649 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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John Schurch House | |
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| Address: | 3649 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: | 1898 |
| Primary Style: | Queen Anne |
| Historic Function: | House/single dwelling or duplex |
| Current Function: | House/single dwelling or duplex |
| Architect or source of design: | J. H. Record |
| Builder: | Thos McCourt |
| Material of Exterior Wall Covering: | Wood |
| Material of Roof: | Asphalt Shingles |
| Material of Foundation: | Limestone |
| First Owner: | John and Ellen Schurch |
| Part of the Site: | Park Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
INTRODUCTION
According to Minneapolis building permits, Real Estate Developer Samuel Glading commissioned Architect J. H. Record to design this Queen Anne home in 1898. Building Contractor Thos. McCourt completed construction in November of that same year at a total cost of $4,300, including a large barn, which still stands today but was converted to a single family home sometime around 1916. Samuel Glading was a a successful Real Estate Investor and Developer whose business was located at 224 S. 10th Street. He was responsible for the development of at least six known homes on the 3600 and 3700 blocks of Park Avenue alone, three of which were designed by Architect J. H. Record, including his own home at 3624 Park Avenue. Upon completion of 3649 Park, Glading sold the house to John and Ellen Schurch.
ARCHITECT
J. H. Record was a partner in the successful firm of Barnett and Record. In addition to its residential work, the firm was well-known for having designed a number of Minneapolis's most notable grain elevators.
ORIGINAL OWNER
Minneapolis City Directories list John and Ellen Schurch as the first owners. John Schurch was a successful local businessman, having been a partner in the Tousley, Schurch & Bells agency throughout the 1880s. The agency specialized in real estate loans, insurance, and collections and was located at No. 242 Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. At the time he purchased 3649 Park, John owned the Schurch Agency, a liquor wholesaler, where he served as both head of the company and as a Traveling Agent.
John and Ellen lived at 3649 Park Avenue with their son, John, daughter, Gertrude, and live-in servant, Nina Bessey. Mrs. Schurch was widowed by 1910, but continued to lived in the house until 1912, when she sold it to E. M. Tousley, John Schurch's former business partner.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE
Architecturally, 3649 Park Avenue is similar in style to its near twin, the Samuel Glading House at 3624 Park, which was also designed by J. H. Record and built by Thos. McCourt. The home is a beautifully preserved example of late 1890s Queen Anne architecture with its asymmetrical facade, tall and steep gabled roofline, elaborate decorative detailing, and various bump outs.
