Reuben Freeman House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Reuben Freeman House
|
|
Freeman's eight-gabled fieldstone house in 2008
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 9091 Inver Grove Trail, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Reuben Freeman |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001231 |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1979 |
The Reuben Freeman House is a very special home located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. It was built in 1875 by a farmer named Reuben Freeman. This house is famous for its unique design, especially its eight gables. A gable is the triangular part of a wall that supports a sloping roof. Imagine a house with many pointy roof sections, and that's what this house looks like!
Reuben Freeman was an immigrant from Germany. He built his house using stones he found right on his own farm. These stones are called fieldstones, which are natural stones found in fields. He carefully stacked these stones to create the walls of his house.
One of the most interesting parts of the house is how it's decorated. Around the windows on the second floor, you can see pieces of bottle glass mixed into the stone walls. This shows that Reuben Freeman was a very creative and unique person, adding his own special touches to his home.
Contents
What Makes the Reuben Freeman House Special?
The Reuben Freeman House stands out because of its unusual design and the materials used to build it. It's not every day you see a house with eight gables! This design makes the house look very grand and interesting from all sides.
Building with Fieldstones
Reuben Freeman used fieldstones, which were readily available on his land. Building with fieldstones was a common practice for early settlers. It was a practical way to use local materials. This method also made the house very strong and durable. The walls are thick and sturdy, helping the house last for many years.
Unique Bottle Glass Decorations
The bottle glass decorations are a truly unique feature. They show Freeman's artistic side and his willingness to experiment. These small pieces of glass catch the light, adding a sparkling detail to the stone walls. It's like a secret treasure hunt to find all the glass pieces!
A Historic Home in Minnesota
The Reuben Freeman House is important enough to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a significant historical building in the United States. It helps us remember the history of early settlers and their building styles in Minnesota.
Why is it on the National Register?
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1979. It was recognized for its unique architecture and its connection to Reuben Freeman, an early German immigrant farmer. It's a great example of how people built homes using what they had available.
Location and Surroundings
The house is located at 9091 Inver Grove Trail in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. This area is part of Dakota County, Minnesota. The house sits in a beautiful setting, reminding us of the farming communities that once thrived here.
Images for kids
-
Freeman's eight-gabled fieldstone house in 2008
