Then and Now - 608 Beaver Street, Beaver Dam, WI

Hard to believe that these are the same house.  Since 1856, when this home was built, much has changed - not just to the home, but to the entire area.  In 1856, Beaver Street was on the western edge of the city - no real streets were in existence west of Center Street nor north of Mackie Street.  This home was built, along with a few others, on unplatted land (land not laid out for city blocks).  There was probably a dirt road off of Center Street that was used to access this home and others in the area.  Notice in the "Then" picture that the people are standing where Beaver Street is now; also notice that it is at the same grade as with the house.  Now, the street is much lower than the house - you have to drive up an incline.

The most dramatic change to this home is to the roof-line.  The box front or commercial appearance was removed as were the two chimneys.  You can see - right above the stone lentils (above each window) on the left side is the old roof-line.  Obviously, the original brick has been painted over (maybe many times).  The shutters are original but no-longer functional (shutters back then were there to actually close, protecting the windows and damping light).  It is quite subtle, but notice that in the Now, we have electrical and phone  service on the left front corner where there was none.  The wood, double-hung windows have been replaced as you see - the mullions (the grids in the windows) are gone in the Now.

What other changes do you notice?    The front porch has been dramatically changed.  It was originally made of wrought iron; notice on the roof of the porch - there is a small wrought iron fence.  The entrance is also in the middle - not on the side as it is Now.  One other change is to the small screened area - Then (on left side of home).  The pitch of the roof is Now different, the room is Now enclosed.

The sheds to the rear and side of the home have been removed.  The hitching post for the horse and wagon are long gone as are the Thorp family members in the photo

Feel free to add your observations and historical notes.

I will add another Then and Now story in a few weeks