Austin-Whittemore House | Vermillion

Information

Landmark: Austin-Whittemore House
City: Vermillion
Country: USA South Dakota
Continent: North America

Austin-Whittemore House, Vermillion, USA South Dakota, North America

The Austin-Whittemore House is a historic residence located in Vermillion, South Dakota, USA.

It is a two-story, Queen Anne style house constructed primarily of wood with a prominent wraparound porch.

Visual Characteristics

The house features a complex roofline with gables and dormers. Exterior walls are clad in clapboard siding, painted in a combination of white and dark green. Decorative elements include turned spindles on the porch, a projecting bay window on the south facade, and a corner turret topped with a conical roof. The foundation is stone.

Location & Access Logistics

The Austin-Whittemore House is situated at 100 Elm Street in Vermillion, South Dakota. It is approximately 0.5km west of the Vermillion city center. On-street parking is available along Elm Street and adjacent residential roads. No public transport routes directly serve the immediate vicinity of the house.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction of the Austin-Whittemore House was completed in 1895. It was built for Charles Austin, a local businessman, and later owned by the Whittemore family. The architectural style is representative of late 19th-century residential design in the American Midwest.

Key Highlights & Activities

Exterior viewing of the architectural style is the primary activity. The house is privately owned and not open for public tours. Photography of the exterior is permitted.

Infrastructure & Amenities

No public restrooms or amenities are available at the site. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available in this residential area. No food vendors are located directly at the property.

Best Time to Visit

For exterior photography, late afternoon light provides optimal illumination of the facade. Any time of year is suitable for viewing the exterior, though clear weather conditions are preferable.

Facts & Legends

Local accounts suggest that the house was constructed using lumber salvaged from a dismantled barn on the property. The original barn's age and origin are not precisely documented.