Historical Society plans Dec. 5 home tour in Hudson

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The St. Croix County Historical Society will present its annual Light Up Night on Friday, Dec. 5, from 6-8 p.m.

This year we will spotlight three beautiful historic homes. Guided tours will be given of the Octagon House, the Phipps Inn and the John Lee House. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for students ages 13-19, and $2 for children 12 and under. Tickets must be purchased at the Octagon House on Light Up Night (no advance sales).

The Octagon House at 1004 Third St. was built in 1855 for the John Shaw Moffat family. Moffat was a lawyer and judge in St. Croix County. Four generations of the Moffat-Hughes family lived in the house before it was turned into a museum in 1964.

On Friday, Dec. 5, you can see the Octagon House in its holiday splendor by the glow of lamplight just as the Moffats did. Costumed guides will welcome guests. Wine and cheese will be served in the Carriage House and the Gift Shop will be open for your Christmas shopping.

William H. Phipps had the home at 1005 Third St. built for his family in 1884. He was a local businessman involved in the railroad, lumber industry and land sales. The beautifully decorated Victorian Mansion is now a Bed and Breakfast operated by Mary Ellen and Richard Cox.

John Lee himself built the house at 1319 Fourth St. in 1910. Johannus Andrew Lovelein came from Hadeland, Norway, to Hudson in 1883. He shortened his name John Lee and started his own carpentry business that continued for 50 years. The master builder erected houses, churches, schools and businesses, many of which are local landmarks. The Carriage House is also one of his. Lee’s former home has been carefully renovated by Chris Meier and Jeff Quarbery, who operate an antique store in Stillwater, Minn.

Tags: phipps inn, octagon house, community, home, tour, 5dec