About

1991

2006

Current Address: 2325-27 Pillsbury Avenue South

Original Address: 2402 Fourth Avenue South

Neighborhood: Whittier

Construction Date: 1870

Contractor: Unknown

Architect: Unknown

Architectural Style: Italianate

Historic Use: Private Residence

Current Use: Private Residences

Date of Local Designation: 1974

Date of National Register Designation: 1995

Area of Significance: Architecture

Period of Significance: 1874-

Historic Profile: The Elisha Morse House is significant as the only known example of the Italian Villa style in Minneapolis which has retained its original cupola and cut-plank siding treatment. This siding consists of flat and planed planks incised at regular intervals to convey the impression of cut stone. These planks were then painted with a mixture of paint and sand to further resemble stone. This siding technique was rarely used in Minnesota architecture and extant buildings employing this technique are relatively unique. In December of 1991 the house was moved from its original location on 4th Avenue to the corner of Pillsbury Avenue and 24th Street. The original site of the site was considerably altered in 1966 after the construction of Interstate 35W. The new location in the Whittier neighborhood is considered to be a comparable environment to the original site.

Photo Credits:

1991, during relocation, courtesy of Hennepin County History Museum

2006, Minneapolis CPED

Works Cited:

"National Register of Historic Places – Nomination Form," September 1997.