Tour Stop One:  303 Augusta Avenue Southeast

Nate Cook

Upon entering this Craftsman style home built in 1903, notice the front windows. Known as coffin windows, they are wider than normal and sit low so that when someone passed away in the house, a coffin could be easily moved in and out of the house. All of the windows still function with ball and chain.

Original features include the pocket doors, floors, fireplaces and walls, which are mostly plaster. The previous owners lived here for more than 30 years and were responsible for expanding the back part of the house and porch and planting then five-foot cryptomeria trees along the left side of the yard. Since purchasing the house, Nate landscaped the backyard, finished the area under the back porch, and remodeled the kitchen with a custom pantry.

Nate is happy to be back in his home after nearly a year of living in an Airbnb. Last summer an oak tree fell on the house and Nate had to have the left chimney, kitchen and bedroom rebuilt. The remodeled kitchen, however, is one of his favorite elements of the house along with the tall ceilings, back porch and yard. Guests are invited to stroll out back and see that the lot is one of the few properties in the neighborhood that span one street to the next.

SAINT PAUL UMC     |     TOUR STOP TWO