Louis Smith Tainter House

The Louis Smith Tainter House is a single-family residence in Menomonie, Wisconsin, constructed from locally quarried sandstone with bold forms and ornamental stone detailing. The building displays the architectural characteristics typical of late 19th century Romanesque Revival design.

The house was designed in 1889 by architect Harvey Ellis and commissioned by Andrew Tainter as a wedding gift for his son Louis Smith Tainter. Its construction reflected the economic prosperity that the region experienced during this period.

The residence once functioned as a women's dormitory and later housed offices for the university foundation. These changes reflect how private homes can be repurposed to serve different community needs over time.

The building is located in downtown Menomonie and is visible from the street. Visitors should be aware that as a historic property, access may be limited or restricted to certain times.

The house was designed by Harvey Ellis, an architect who later became known for innovative work across the country. His designs for this project already showed the distinctive approach that would define his later career.

Location: Wisconsin

GPS coordinates: 44.87889,-91.92917

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:24