| |
Southard House; Gillespie House -
1103 9TH AV
 Print Listing
Historical Name -
Southard House
Style -
Foursquare
Built Year -
1908
State ID -
5WL773
Description -
This elaborate Foursquare residence is a rectilinear two-story frame structure with a composition flared-hip roof. Roof features include cornice brackets, a centered dormer on each elevation, and three brick chimneys located on the southeast, southwest, and northwest corners, respectively. The east and north dormers are identical, featuring flared gable roofs with eave-returns, cornice brackets, Palladian window, and corner pilasters. The south and west dormers are also identical, with hip roofs and paired one-over-one double hung sash windows. The rusticated stone foundation supports frame exterior walls with clapboard siding and corner pilasters. Most windows are one-over-one double hung sash with classical moldings. On the main facade, exceptions include two single-light Queen Anne windows flanking the front porch and one-over-one double hung windows framed by pilasters. A two-storey bay located on the south side features leaded glass sash windows on the second level. A similar two-storey bay featuring one-over-one double hung windows is located on the north side. The home boasts two porches, located on the front (east) and north elevations. The single-storey front porch features Tuscan order columns supporting a wide frieze and low-pitched hip roof with cornice brackets. The porch shelters a main entrance with a broken pediment and pilasters. A second single-storey porch is located on the north facade. This semi-circular open porch has the same features as the front porch, with the addition of a low balustrade with convex scroll-sawn supports. The rear (west) facade features a full-height rectilinear projection banded on both levels by one-over-one double hung ribbon windows. A rear entrance is located on the projection's south side.
Historical Background -
The Southard House was designed by Bessie Smith, a prominent local architect. Daughter of a Greeley contractor, Smith studied architecture through a correspondence school, and then worked professionally in Denver from 1901-1903. She returned to Greeley in 1903, and designed many outstanding residences and commercial structures. She seemed to prefer the Foursquare style, a style popular during the early decades of the 20th century. The Southard House is the finest remaining example of her work on residential structures in Greeley. According to City Directories, the home’s original occupants were Samuel H. Southard, his wife Mary Jane, and their son Charles. Samuel moved to Greeley in 1877 after his election as Weld County Treasurer. Subsequently, he was elected County Clerk and County Commissioner, while engaged in the mercantile business. He moved to 1103 9th Avenue in 1908. Charles E. Southard lived in his parent’s home until ca. 1910. After moving to another location in Greeley, he returned to live in the home from 1944 until his death in 1960. A graduate of Columbia Law School, Charles opened a private practice in 1907, after serving as a County judge for less than one term. In 1911, he married Angelina s. Kuhl. During his tenure as a judge, Charles helped establish Colorado juvenile courts and helped to revise probate laws. He practiced law for more than 50 years. During that period, he served as president of the Weld County Bar Association and member of the District 6 School Board. Charles was survived by three children: William, Mary Elizabeth (Gillespie), and Edith. William Southard attended Harvard Law School and joined his father’s practice after serving in World War II. In 1939, Mary Elizabeth married an Argentine citizen, Alejandro M. Gillespie (now deceased), and lived in the house until her death in 2001.
|