Marble Mementos of the Capitol Construction
Marble bas-relief ship carved by Nils Nelson.
Photo courtesy of Janet and David McAllister. Used with permission.
Marble that looks like the Georgia stone used in the building of the Minnesota State Capitol shows up in and near the homes of construction workers and the family of the general contractors, the Butler Brothers. Some was carved into sculptures, like the large bas releif of a ship carved by stonemason Nils Nelson. An egg carved from marble scrap by hoist operator Sebulon Olson has been passed down as a treasured heirloom by his descendants. Marble shows up in the sidewalks of Nils Nelson and several homes that belonged to members of the Butler family - generally an unusual landscaping feature in St. Paul homes.
Marble walkway at Nils Nelson's house on Payne Avenue, St. Paul. The project team assumes this stone, like that at the homes of the Butlers and other statehouse builders, came from the Capitol construction site.
Photo by Randy Croce. Used with permission.
Marble walkway at the Pierce and Walter Butler house on Summit Avenue at Hamline Avenue, St. Paul
Image courtesy of Randy Croce. Used with permission.
Marble sidewalk west side of Butler family home,1156 Hague Avenue, St. Paul
Image courtesy of Randy Croce. Used with permission.
Marble sidewalk to the west of the Butler home on Hague Ave., St. Paul
Image courtesy of Victoria Woodcock. Used with permission.
Marble sidewalk closeup
Image courtesy of Victoria Woodcock. Used with permission.
The William Butler home at 516 Summit Ave. features the Chaska brick used in the Capitol construction, as well as marble framing at the corners of the house and garage. The home was built in 1914. The author Sinclair Lewis lived in the mansion from 1917 to 1918.
St. Paul Pioneer Press
Back of the William Butler house
St. Paul Pioneer Press