An overview of the house and of Mons Anderson
“The Mons Anderson House is one of the finest examples of mid-nineteenth century residential architecture in western Wisconsin. The house is a rare blend of Gothic Revival and Italian Villa styles rendered in locally quarried stone. The house has a fascinating history from a peak of late Victorian era opulence in the late 19th century – to neglect and near ruin by the later part of the 20th century – to its current state, of complete restoration and recognition as one of the most historically and architecturally significant houses in the city of La Crosse.”
*From “Footsteps of La Crosse,” courtesy of Eric J. Wheeler, Architectural Historian/Historic Preservation Consultant
Mons Anderson (b. 1830-d. 1905) was born in Valders, Norway, on June 8th, 1830. He came to America in 1846, first settled in Milwaukee, then arrived in La Crosse in 1851; he was only 21. He excelled in the mercantile trade, beginning as a store clerk, and eventually established his own store that, when finished in 1870, was one of the biggest stores of its kind in the upper mid-west.
“So successful was Mons Anderson that during his lifetime he became the most prominent merchandiser in La Crosse and was known as the “Merchant Prince.” He was a leading supplier of boots and clothing to lumbermen in the region and was a key figure in the economic development of La Crosse in the late 19th century. He even issued his own currency!”
“As Mons Anderson’s retail career was on the rise, he purchased a simple two-story stone house on Cass Street. The house was built in 1854 by stonemason Alexander W. Shephard, a New York native. In 1861, after purchasing the original building of the Mons Anderson House, Mons Anderson hired noted local architect William H. J. Nichols to design a series of high style additions that, when completed in 1878, made the house one of the most spacious and elegant houses in La Crosse. After the death of Mons Anderson, the house was sold to the YWCA in 1906 and later returned to private ownership in the 1920s. Over the next 60 years, the once opulent house slid into disrepair and deterioration. In 1982, the house was purchased at auction by Robert Poehling, who completely refurbished this city landmark, putting over $1.2 million in restoration toward the house.”
*From “Footsteps of La Crosse,” courtesy of Eric J. Wheeler, Architectural Historian/Historic Preservation Consultant
By the mid-1980s, the restored Mons Anderson House received several local and statewide awards for architectural significance and historic preservation.
The exterior features a three-story tower located centrally (actually, four stories) with a mansard roof and ornamental iron balustrade and distinctive multiple-arched loggia that lend an Italian Villa aspect to the house.
Other elements include the lancet windows and other floorings, vaulted ceiling, and carved-marble fireplace decorated from the mantel to the ceiling with hand-crafted eight-inch, painted tiles considered to be of the highest artistic value. The Mons Anderson House, on the National Register of Historic Places, is a City of La Crosse Landmark.
