On this date in 1912, it was announced that a fabulous Bismarck home was nearing completion. The final cost of the home belonging to Attorney General Miller would amount to the princely sum of six thousand dollars. It was designed and built by noted local contractor N.A. Freeburg. He and his partner Charles Kidd were responsible for several prominent buildings in Bismarck and Mandan including the First National Bank in Mandan, the Stuart Dunlap House, and the Esser House.
The Stuart Dunlap House was one of their earliest buildings. Located on Seventh Avenue in Mandan, it was built in 1904. It is a fine example of Queen Anne architecture. The residence and the accompanying carriage house were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The register entry notes that the “The property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values.”
Freeburg designed and built the home for Stuart Dunlap, the original owner. Dunlap was a conductor on the Northern Pacific Railroad. The Dunlaps, their six children, and their housekeepers lived in the house for ten years. Dunlap originally requested a rectangular wrap-around porch on the south and east sides of the house. When he saw a house with a curved porch, he was inspired to alter the design. His change resulted in a sweeping porch with graceful curve. The maids’ quarters were on the second floor with a servants’ staircase at the back of the house that went directly to the kitchen and pantry. A weathervane powered a pump that filled the upstairs water supply tank.
The house is known by the name of the original owner, but is primarily associated with a later owner. In 1923 Hoy Sylvester Russell, founder of the Mandan Creamery and Produce Company, purchased the home. He and his wife Cora raised their family there. The Mandan Creamery and Produce company is now known as Cloverdale Foods. After the death of her husband, Cora Russell continued to live in the house until 1971.
The current owner restored the home to its original grandeur and has furnished it appropriately for the Victorian era. The adjacent carriage house is also original. It is possible to schedule a tour of the Stuart Dunlap House by contacting the Mandan Historical Society.
Dakota Datebook by Carole Butcher
Sources:
Bismarck Historical Society. “It Happened in Bismarck.” http://bismarckhistory.org/it-happened-in-bismarck/?&offset=800http://bismarckhistory.org/it-happened-in-bismarck/?&offset=800. Accessed 10/22/2021.
Kiddle Encyclopedia for Kids. “Stuart Dunlap House.” https://kids.kiddle.co/Stuart_Dunlap_House Accessed 10/22/2021.
Landmark Hunter. “Stuart Dunlap House.” http://landmarkhunter.com/165850-stuart-dunlap-house/ Accessed 10/22/2021.
Historic Buildings. “Stuart Dunlap House.” http://www.historicbuildings.us/dunlap-stuart-house-mandan-nd Accessed 10/22/2021.
Mandan Historical Society. “Stuart Dunlap Home.” http://www.mandanhistory.org/heritagehomes/stuartdunlaphome.html Accessed 10/22/2021.
