Josiah Chaney home, 997 Argyle Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Josiah Chaney home
Home interior, 997 Argyle Street, St. Paul, MN
Address:	997 Argyle Street N
Neighborhood/s:	Como, Saint Paul, Minnesota
City/locality- State/province	Saint Paul, Minnesota
County- State/province:	Ramsey County, Minnesota
State/province:	Minnesota
Country:	United States
Year built:	1905
Historic Function:	House/single dwelling or duplex
Current Function:	House/single dwelling or duplex
Builder:	Jeremiah L. Gordon
Material of Exterior Wall Covering:	Asbestos
First Owner:	Josiah Chaney

Como Saint Paul Ramsey

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Josiah Chaney home, 997 Argyle Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota
(44.971287,-93.142801)

On September 26, 1905 Josiah Chaney signed a contract with builder Jerry Gordon and his partner Ebenezer Robinson to purchase the home at 997 Argyle. Renters occupied the home for several months while Chaney sold his home at 604 Rondo Avenue. In September 1906 Josiah Chaney and his daughter Delia moved into their new home. Josiah Chaney recorded in detail improvements to their home. His diaries are part of his papers available at the Minnesota Historical Society Library. On September 23, 1906 Chaney wrote:

"Today I have put in making improvements in our privy, made new seats, and put down a new floor. It is more comfortable, and more respectable looking inside; but it wants new outside, which I propose to give it after we put up our coal stove, which stands against one side of it."

One important improvement Josiah Chaney made was to build a darkroom in the northeast corner of the cellar (basement) for Delia, an avid amateur photographer.

History

Josiah Chaney lived in this home until his death in 1908. A picture of Josiah's coffin in the house can be seen at the Minnesota Historical Society's website.

Delia maintained the house as her residence until her death in 1918 at age 56.

Related Links

Google street view of the house exterior