Only a few buildings in Ramsey County built before 1875 survive, which is one of the many reasons that Lake Ave is so special; about a third of the homes on the Avenue were built before or around 1900.
The population of St. Paul grew three-fold between 1875-1894. Many prominent St. Paul families built summer houses in White Bear Lake during this period. According to the Historic Sites Survey of St. Paul and Ramsey County, which was published by the St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission and Ramsey County Historical Society in 1981, architecture of the period “can best be described as eclectic”. The term Victorian describes most of the buildings erected during this era, reflecting the reign of England’s Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
The study mentioned above examined the exterior of many White Bear homes, including about 20 on Lake Avenue. This article provides a broad overview of the types of architecture showcased on the world's most beautiful walking path, and when the original homes were built.
4572 and 4574 were owned by founders of White Bear Lake. The first (top) was built in 1893 and the latter was built in 1914-16. Both are identified by the study as Tudor Revival style homes.
According to a June 30, 2023 House Beautiful magazine article: "The (American) Tudor style movement is technically a revival of 'English domestic architecture, specifically medieval and post-medieval styles from 1600 to 1700.'"
Definitely, the most popular style of old homes along Lake Avenue and throughout White Bear Lake are Victorian style homes. The study mentioned above identified at least five Victorian style homes on Lake Avenue, some with Greek Revival and Queen Anne twists.
4601 Lake Ave was labeled a Victorian by the Ramsey Co. study. There are many Victorian homes along Lake Avenue. Other Victorians include 4567, 4621 and replicas like 4647, which was constructed by Doug Kraemer, and 4671, which was extensively remodeled by Kraemer.
4593 Lake Ave. was labeled by the 1981 study as a "Victorian with Greek Revival".
Built in 1880, 4593 Lake Ave is the best example of Victorian with Greek Revival. Greek Revival typically has pillars. But a simple Greek Revival has pilasters, rather than columns. A pilaster projects only slightly from the wall and resembles a flat column with a base, shaft and capital.
Many Greek Revival homes have both columns and pilasters. They also may have heavy cornices (the section of molding just below the roof), according to www.oldhouse.com. 4593 was owned for many years by Ginny and Gordon Brierly, who were friends of my grandparents.
1895-1917
By the end of this period, new styles had been developed, including the Prairie style and Bungalow style. The Prairie style was influenced by the famous Midwestern architect Frank Lloyd Wright and featured a low roof line with prominent eaves; square or rectangular windows, accentuating the horizontal aspect of the design. According to the survey, 4893 Lake Ave. is a Prairie style home built in 1905.
4893 Lake Ave. is a Prairie Style home.
The bungalow style was popular in Minnesota until World War II. They are usually one story, with a low-pitched gable roof and a front entry porch. 4719 Lake Ave is the best example of this style of home on Lake Avenue – although there are a few others.
Built in 1910, 4719 Lake Ave. is a good example of a Bungalow style home.
Fillebrown House
As most people know, 4735 Lake Ave. aka the Fillebrown House was built in 1879 as a summer cottage.
According to the WBLA Historical Society, “the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and is considered significant based on its architectural design. According to the National Register nomination form, the interior of the cottage is “an excellent, and meticulously preserved, example of stick style decor. Motifs used on the exterior are repeated on the interior. A distinct geometry is evident in the execution of newels and balusters, window and door casements, door panel construction, and ceiling truss-work.” For more information on this historical jewel, see: https://explorewhitebear.org/places/fillebrown-house/
Italianate style home was moved off of Lake Avenue in 2001
The only example of an Italianate home built on Lake Avenue is the Dougherty house, which was moved in 2001 to make room for the townhomes on the northwest corner of Lake Ave. The home now resides at 4930 Morehead Ave. in White Bear Lake.
Italianate homes are characterized by protruding bays and paired rounded arched windows, elaborate porches and balustrades (commonly used on staircases and terraces - a row of small columns topped by a rail), with a vertical emphasis created by tall thin windows and articulated ornamentation, according to the Ramsey County study.
Moved from 4565 Lake Avenue to 4930 Morehead Ave., this Italianate style home was built in 1880 and recently sold for about $800,000.
Primary Source
Historic Sites Survey of St. Paul and Ramsey County
By St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission and Ramsey County Historical Society, published in 1981.
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