55-57 Linden Ave

Style: Queen Anne

Date Built: c. 1884

Description: Sprawling plan; multiple porches on two levels, including two story porch on left; A left center bay, and on the first story has a mullion window with iron cap and incised decoration, a moulded frame and a border of art glass in the upper sash. The second story has a pair of windows with a terra-cotta sculptured panel between, joined by an incised iron lintel supported on four corbelled brick brackets. The gable above has a series of paired brackets and a constricted decorated pediment with finial and sculptured panels between the four corbelled brick brackets. On the left is an entranceway in a re-entrant angle off a two-story Eastlake porch. On the right is the entranceway to the right side living unit with an Eastlake porch having turned pillars, turned lattice-work ballister and Frieze, and gauged brackets. There is a mullion window above. On the far right is a one-story component with two windows having iron caps and an Eastlake decorated porch above. The roof is truncated hip with wall gables and multiple chimneys with corbelled caps. The house was built in 1884.

History:  Benjamin N. Beaver, who lived at 55-61 Linden, was the co-founder of the firm Beaver and Butt, which was one of the largest firms in the city. Specializing in general construction, planning, millwork and the manufacture of general building materials, they had contracts extending into neighboring states. They employed as many as 500 men when they rebuilt the Lebanon Public Hall in 1877-78. In Dayton, they built the Kuhns Building and rebuilt the Turner Opera House (now the Victory Theatre) into Music Hall following a disastrous fire in 1869.   Both of these buildings are on the National Register. They also did the carpentry work for St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church (now St. Paul United Methodist Church), which is within the district. The interior of Mr. Beaver’s house reflects the quality of craftsmanship and of style in the decorative woodwork.