Chapter History
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Plat name, block and lot numbers: East Houghton Plat, Block 7 Lot 10 Current Owner and Occupant: MTU Alumni of Delta Upsilon Chapter, Delta Upsilon Fraternity Date of Construction: 1879 Significance Statement: While researching this house, there was nothing that stood out about it. This house represents a creative design thought up by William Brimacombe Sr. It stands out on the streetscape because the roofline is very distinct. Table of owners and dates:
Original Construction: When this house was built in 1879, it was built for William Brimacombe Jr. and his wife Sarah and family. His father, William Brimacombe Sr., designed and built it for them. At this time in history, William Sr. was among the prominent builders and contractors of the Copper Country (Holland's Houghton Directory, 1885). He also furnished plans and estimates for work of all kinds in this line. They built their house on this location because William Sr. was doing construction along College Ave. and also lived in this area. There was no information found on what William Jr. did for a living, but he did die in 1893 and the house was then owned and lived in by Sarah and her six children. There is no information as to what she did for a living, but her children boarded with her while they were working. The eldest son John worked, as a clerk for the railroad and the eldest daughter was a day goods saleswoman. Sarah's other son, Thomas, was an electric linesman and her daughter Lottie was a schoolteacher (1900 census). The construction of the house was similar to the others on College Ave, but with less decoration on the outside. At the time of construction, this house was a two-story dwelling with a porch that face College Ave. and wrapped around to face Agate St. There was a large bay window overlooking Agate St. and also aback mud room/kitchen area on the back of the house. The outside was constructed of wood with a foundation out of cement. The roof was flat on top and slanted downwards on the sides. The roof hangs over the sides of the building, shadowing the upper windows. From the tax books, the approximate date of construction was around 1900, which is the year where the value doubled. But from looking through the deeds book in the courthouse, it was discovered that it was actually built in 1879. No reason has been found for the price doubling in 1900. When looking through the earlier years of the tax records, there is no discernible information about this house until approximately 1898. Previous and subsequent history: In 1929 Sarah Brimacombe sold the house to Chester and Evadane Smith. Chester worked as a mechanical engineer at Atlas Power Co. he and his wife and family lived there for the next 57 years. During this time, the only thing added to the original house was a back-enclosed doorway to protect from the weather. In 1922 a garage was built on the property out of wood and covered with lap siding. In 1979 Chester Smith died and his wife took over ownership of the house. She lived there for the next seven years and then sold it to the MTU Alumni of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Presently the members of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity live there and have made no changes to the original house, with the exception of painting it and putting siding on the exterior. Before this house was built there was nothing on this plot of land. This literature came from the MTU Archives... Unknown Author. |