The Orange Little House

(Pietan 1982)

This style has meaning behind each generation, coming from the gold rush to the mid-1970s. Within 65 years, nearly 48,000 Victorian homes were built. During the World Wars, some were painted ‘battleship gray.’ Then in the sixties, bright colors that were established from the psychedelic era, became a noticeable attraction. By the mid-1970s, the homes were also called “Painted Ladies.” Features recognized are bends and rolls of the carpentry; the different colors added by artists to give character, and the towers, balconies and bay windows (2).

One house located on Lincoln Street, number 113, acquired an Italianate style to it, also known as The Orange Little House. I was able to locate some history on the house from its first owner to the most recent. A man named Thomas D. Warren first purchased the land in 1859. This land acquired 120 acres. In 1867 the owner, Orange Little, built a house on the land. He made this purchase for the cost of $625.00. The house remained his until 1907 then it was sold to Judson D. Humiston, who then lived there until 1917. In 1917 the house was owned to Helena and Albert Hegermann who rented the house to Henry and Helen Stelter from 1962-66. This couple owned Stelter’s Sewing Center. After the death of Albert, the house was the sold to H. Roger Smith, December 30, 1966 and he is still the current owner today. He is a Professor of Urban Studies here at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The Orange Little house is two stories and originated from the Italianate style with brick veneer. There were additions and renovation added to the house at various times, which you can tell by the different materials. In 1978, Smith removed the maid’s bedroom and added a 35 square foot Jacuzzi tub. The Vestibule had work done throughout the years along with everything else. The foundation is cut-limestone and the floor has a mosaic tile design. Smith has removed the original porch. Three roman-arched windows define the second floor of the house. Since 1978, the house has gone through many renovations (Pietan).

Aileen Knoblauch

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