Two Diminutive Dwellings

Some time ago David Groth, a fellow William Waters enthusiast shared some pictures with me of houses he thought might be the work of Mr. Waters.  I was surprised by them for I was totally unaware of their existence.  I studied the images closely and was dubious at first, the arched porch entrance seemed too contemporary but then I recalled the Peter King house on Waugoo Avenue which exhibits the same arched entrance and side opening.   I had to agree with David, they were indeed from the drawing board of William Waters.  My research reviled that both homes were built circa 1895 with the house at 51 Pleasant Street being the home of William Krippene, a bookkeeper at the Commercial Bank.  The other house at 11 Bowen Street was listed as being vacant in 1895 but was occupied in 1898 by a laborer named Robert Simonson. 

Mr. Krippene’s house on Pleasant Street shows features that mark it as the work of William Waters.  Above the arch to front porch is a sham gable which is supported at either end by small brackets much like those seen on other jobs by architect Waters.  Over all the building has the look of a “Waters’ Job.”   Some artistic license was taken in the renderings presented here but that was done to show the architect’s intent and not as they appear now.

The house at number 11 Bowen Street was undoubtedly built as a rental property, as the first listing for it indicates it was vacant and subsequent listings have many different occupants.  Architecturally the house has arch openings to the porch and a curious small window high on a diagonal wall on the front porch, a feature seen on other Waters’ houses from the same time.  There is also on the side wall a small window shaded from the sun by an elongated eave.  Both dwellings are charming and diminutive but could house well a small family.