Overview

The Stebbins-Paulson House was designed by the first formally trained architect in Minneapolis. 

• Location: 325 15th Street West 
• Neighborhood: Loring Park

1987

Architecture

• Architectural Style: Prairie School
• Architect: Edward Somerby Stebbins 

Use

• Historic use: Residential
• Current use: Demolished in 1987 

Construction

• Construction date: 1913
• Contractor: C.W. Lundquist 

Significance

• Area(s) of significance:  Undefined
• Period of Significance: Undefined
• Date of local designation: 1987
• Date of National Register designation: N/A
• Designation: Exterior  

Historic profile

The Stebbins-Paulson House was designed by the first formally trained architect in Minneapolis. Edward Somerby Stebbins designed the house for his daughter, Mary Stebbins Paulson, and her husband. 

Edward was born in Boston and also lived in New York. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1876 with a degree in architecture. He moved to Minneapolis in 1877. He designed many buildings in Minneapolis and across Minnesota. His early career included many of the city’s early schools. In 1897, he was named architect for the Minneapolis Board of Education. He also designed Gethsemane Episcopal Church at 901-905 4th Avenue South in 1883. This is one of the oldest remaining churches in Minneapolis. His house designs reflected popular architectural styles of the time. 

This two-story house was designed in the Prairie School style, which emphasizes horizontality. It had stucco walls with wood trim and a hipped roof with wide eaves. Its narrow windows were grouped in bands. It was sited on a short hill and had a view to Loring Park across the street. 

The Stebbins-Paulson House was at the center of a preservation debate in 1987. City Council members advocated to save it from demolition. However, it was demolished and replaced with a parking lot.

Photo credit

Courtesy of Hennepin County Library

Work cited

“Local Heritage Preservation Designation Study: Stebbins-Paulson House,” June 1987