This Kit House Might be My Favorite

People ask me all the time what my favorite kit house is. I might have to go with the Bristol from Gordon-Van Tine. There is one currently for sale in Berlin, Wisconsin and it is lovely inside and out. Let's take a look!

164  N. State Street, Berlin, Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory.

 

The Bristol, as shown in the 1935 Gordon-Van Tine catalog.

   

Older photo of the house. Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory.

 
This is an authenticated Bristol from 1940--Gordon-Van Tine is listed as the architect. According to researcher Dale Wolicki, Gordon-Van Tine sold the Bristol from 1932 to 1947, which is a long run for a kit house model.

The Bristol in Berlin is covered in limestone, like many residences in Wisconsin. It is in a French Norman style, which was popular in the United States in the period between WWI and WWII. The Bristol is just one-and-a-half stories, but has a steeply pitched roof that is typical of the French Norman style.

There are two arches in the turreted entry. That arch leads to the dining room. Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

 

Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

And that arch leads to the living room. Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

 

Wow! Impressive molding and detail in the living room. Wrought iron was often a feature of French Norman houses. Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

 

Another shot of the vaulted ceiling and the open staircase. There's a fireplace in the living room as well, but the Realtor did not provide a photo. Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

 

Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

 

Is the chandelier original? I have no idea. Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

 

Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

 

Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

 

Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

The house was originally built by August and Alma Voeltner. He was a general contractor. Gordon-Van Tine had a sales office in Madison, 75 miles south.

August Voeltner.

Other Bristols in Chicagoland

1503 Baker St., Streator.  That's the teeniest dormer I've ever seen! Photo courtesy of David Daruszka of Creative Media Wizards, Chicago.

427 W. Park, Libertyville. Photo courtesy of Realtor site.