St Paul Historic Home 14

This weeks Historic Home is 266 Summit Avenue.

The beautiful Queen Anne Victorian mansion that currently stands on the lot was built in 1884 by Frederick Driscoll and was designed by William Willcox. Mr Driscoll was successful in the newspaper business. In 1888 he also built the Pioneer Press Building at 4th & Roberts.

Though the home has been altered over the years, it still retains the basic elements of a classic Queen Anne, including the high pitched gables, three story tower, multiple dormers, and fine stone detailing. At one time the front entry had a porch extending to the right of the home and stain glass windows existed in the tower windows. There was also a large clock built into the left facade of the home. All have since been removed and replaced with elements of a more “classical” theme. The car port to the right was added in the last 20 years as was a sun porch on the rear of the home.

Currently a single family residential home, it has seen various uses over the years including headquarters for the Indianhead Council of the Boys Scouts of America and the Epiphany House of Prayer. The home is currently for sale at a price of $2,799,000 and boasts almost 11,000 square feet, 11 bedroom, and 13 bathrooms. As soon as you walk in you will find beautiful black and white marbled floors, fine inlaid wood floors, marble fireplaces, and extensive detail in the woodwork and trim. I will keep a watch on the home and let you know when it sells!

View the home in 1888 and also during the winter of 1973.

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