The Red Rock Center's Historic Sister
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Built in 1867 on a hill overlooking Lake Sisseton, the Chubb House is the oldest brick house standing in Fairmont and the only of the town's houses known to have been built with brick from Fairmont's first brickyard. It was the home of prominent homesteader Orville Chubb, who was the community's first physician. The house is an example of a property associated with the early Yankee American development of town sites in southern Minnesota.
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In 1865, Orville Paterson Chubb traveled to southern Minnesota. At the time, he was an officer in the Fifth Michigan Regiment. Representing himself and other officers, he purchased the town site where Fairmont was eventually plotted. In 1866, Chubb moved to Minnesota with his wife, Sarah, and daughter, Lottie. He and other town founders planned the town of Fairmont and began building homes and businesses.
A few months after their move to Fairmont, in an effort to stimulate the development of the town site, Chubb and fellow Michigan officer Colonel Lounsberry established a brickyard on the southwestern side of Buffalo Lake, about two miles north of the Chubb House. Because the clay was believed to contain too much lime to make durable brick, the brickyard was short-lived. The Chubb House was the first brick house built in the county and is the only brick building still standing made from the Chubb-Lounsberry kiln.
The Chubb House was constructed by John R. Dalton, an Irish-born mason who had homesteaded in Martin County in 1866. The house was built at a time when most other structures in the county were log or woodframe. The house was built on Lake Avenue just north of Fort Fairmont and just south of the home of Chubb's sister and brother-in-law, Alta Chubb Cadwell and Alpha D. Cadwell. Chubb named the street between the two houses Lottie Street in honor of his daughter.
The Chubb House is one of southwestern Minnesota's few extant examples of the Greek Revival style. The small, one-and-a-half-story house was constructed of reddish-brown brick made locally in the first kiln erected at Fairmont. The basement was constructed of large fieldstones and lake boulders held together with mortar. The mortar was scored around each rock on both the inside and outside of the foundation.
Chubb is credited with playing a significant role in the building of the Fairmont community. As co-owner of the town site, he was active in designing its physical layout and drew plans for Fairmont's first cemetery and county fairgrounds. As Fairmont's only physician until 1871, he held a professional and social position that was crucial in the community. Sarah E. Gorton Chubb, born in Michigan in October of 1831, was also a leader in the community, although few of her contributions have been recorded. She was an active member of the local Congregational church.
In 1875, the Chubbs left Minnesota so that their daughter, Lottie, could attend school in Nebraska. They sold their house to George S. Livermore. The Chubbs returned to Fairmont, but in 1880 their daughter died, and in 1882, Sarah died. Dr. Chubb remarried and moved to California. He died in 1894 and is buried in Fairmont.
Under its second owner, George S. Livermore, the Chubb House served as one of the first hotels in the young village of Fairmont. Livermore was also a prominent early merchant who bought livestock and ran a meat market. He became one of Martin County's most-respected and wealthiest citizens. He was still living in the house in 1897 and died in 1904. It was probably Livermore who added the southern addition to the house. The third owner of the house, David Wade, was born in Martin County in 1867 and attended Fairmont schools. He was a leading businessman for sixty-eight years. Wade added a wood-frame rear kitchen extension and a Classical Revival-style entrance to the house.
In 1992, the house was threatened with demolition to make room for a parking lot. The Martin County Preservation Association was formed to save the house. The Association purchased the house for $35,000 and refurbished it.
© Minnesota Historical Society
A few months after their move to Fairmont, in an effort to stimulate the development of the town site, Chubb and fellow Michigan officer Colonel Lounsberry established a brickyard on the southwestern side of Buffalo Lake, about two miles north of the Chubb House. Because the clay was believed to contain too much lime to make durable brick, the brickyard was short-lived. The Chubb House was the first brick house built in the county and is the only brick building still standing made from the Chubb-Lounsberry kiln.
The Chubb House was constructed by John R. Dalton, an Irish-born mason who had homesteaded in Martin County in 1866. The house was built at a time when most other structures in the county were log or woodframe. The house was built on Lake Avenue just north of Fort Fairmont and just south of the home of Chubb's sister and brother-in-law, Alta Chubb Cadwell and Alpha D. Cadwell. Chubb named the street between the two houses Lottie Street in honor of his daughter.
The Chubb House is one of southwestern Minnesota's few extant examples of the Greek Revival style. The small, one-and-a-half-story house was constructed of reddish-brown brick made locally in the first kiln erected at Fairmont. The basement was constructed of large fieldstones and lake boulders held together with mortar. The mortar was scored around each rock on both the inside and outside of the foundation.
Chubb is credited with playing a significant role in the building of the Fairmont community. As co-owner of the town site, he was active in designing its physical layout and drew plans for Fairmont's first cemetery and county fairgrounds. As Fairmont's only physician until 1871, he held a professional and social position that was crucial in the community. Sarah E. Gorton Chubb, born in Michigan in October of 1831, was also a leader in the community, although few of her contributions have been recorded. She was an active member of the local Congregational church.
In 1875, the Chubbs left Minnesota so that their daughter, Lottie, could attend school in Nebraska. They sold their house to George S. Livermore. The Chubbs returned to Fairmont, but in 1880 their daughter died, and in 1882, Sarah died. Dr. Chubb remarried and moved to California. He died in 1894 and is buried in Fairmont.
Under its second owner, George S. Livermore, the Chubb House served as one of the first hotels in the young village of Fairmont. Livermore was also a prominent early merchant who bought livestock and ran a meat market. He became one of Martin County's most-respected and wealthiest citizens. He was still living in the house in 1897 and died in 1904. It was probably Livermore who added the southern addition to the house. The third owner of the house, David Wade, was born in Martin County in 1867 and attended Fairmont schools. He was a leading businessman for sixty-eight years. Wade added a wood-frame rear kitchen extension and a Classical Revival-style entrance to the house.
In 1992, the house was threatened with demolition to make room for a parking lot. The Martin County Preservation Association was formed to save the house. The Association purchased the house for $35,000 and refurbished it.
© Minnesota Historical Society
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Dr. Orville P. Chubb
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Dr. Chubb was born in Michigan on June 11, 1830. He was educated at the Cincinnati Medical College and began his first practice in Tuscola Co., Michigan. He served as a surgeon in the Civil War, after which he staked a claim in Martin County. He died in 1894 and is buried with Sarah and Lottie in Lakeside Cemetery.
Dr. Orville P. Chubb was one of the most important and most accomplished founders of Fairmont. He was the first physician in Martin County. In 1866, he and his friend Colonel Lounsberry drove a large flock of sheep from Michigan to Martin County. Unfortunately, due to the cold weather, all the sheep died. He returned to Michigan and brought back his wife, Sarah, age 35, and daughter, Lottie, age 9. The family lived in Fort Fairmount, where the prescourt house now stands. His son Montier was born there the next spring. He was county doctor until 1871, when Dr. D. W. Hunt took over. |
In 1869, he helped finance the first bridge over the George Lake channel, which was one of the main routes to and from the west. He bought one of the town's newspapers and was a part-owner of a drug store. Dr. Chubb served as the County Superintendent of Schools and as County Treasurer. He was in partnership with his brother-in-law, Alpha Cadwell, in the operation of a grist mill located on Center Creek at the outlet of George Lake. The first flour was ground in Martin County there. Dr. Chubb owned considerable property in Martin County. His knowledge of surveying was very valuable, as he helped plat the town site of Fairmont, the first cemetery, and the first Fairgrounds. He was appointed by President Andrew Jackson as Postmaster and was reappointed for another term by President Ulysses S. Grant.
Chubb House Events
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Spring TeaWhen the cold diminishes and green begins to creep back into the grass and trees, it is time for Spring tea at the Chubb House. Put on your rain boots and head over to this breathtaking home for a relaxing time of tea, treats, and fellowship.
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Christmas Tea and Bake SaleAs cooler temperatures fill the air and the wind filters through the now-bare trees along Lake Sisseton, it's best to gather inside in the warmth of the Chubb House. Enjoy freshly baked cookies, pastries, tea, and treats at the Chubb House Christmas Tea on a cold winter afternoon. Take home some treats from the bake sale for later and support this historic home.
Pioneer Stew DinnerWhen the leaves begin to fall, it will be time for the Pioneer Stew Dinner at the historic Chubb House. Enjoy a home-cooked stew dinner amidst period furniture and decorated tables.
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Community Open Houses and Tours
Interested in a tour and learning more about its history? Give us a call today and schedule a unique, one-of-a-kind tour with one of our volunteers. We also welcome group visits and tour buses and may be able to provide light refreshments upon request.
Contact Chubb HousePhone: (507) 235-9262
Contact form Chubb House Physical Address: 209 Lake Avenue Fairmont, MN 56031 Send mail to: Chubb House c/o Martin County Preservation Association 222 East Blue Earth Avenue Fairmont, MN 56031 |
DirectionsChubb House is located next to the historic Martin County Courthouse in Fairmont.
From the East: Travel west on Blue Earth Ave to Lake Avenue and continue past the Courthouse to 209 Lake Avenue. From the West: Travel east on Business 90 (old Highway 16) past Sylvania Park to 209 Lake Avenue. |