Monona, WI. – The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of the Ray S. and Theo P. Owen House in Monona, Dane County, on the State Register of Historic Places.

The Owen House, the first summer cottage to be built along Wicawak Bay on the east shore of Lake Monona, is the most intact example of a cottage built before World War I.  Numerous cottages once lined much of the lakeshore in what is now the City of Monona and whose creation played a significant role in the development of the city.

The original cottage portion of the house, called “Bungalowen” by the family, dates to 1911 and was designed by brothers James and Edward Law.  This architectural firm, Law and Law, would eventually become the largest and most successful practice in Madison during the first half of the twentieth century. In 1932, the Owens complimented the existing cottage by building a connecting year-round house. Owen House is still owned and occupied by a third generation member of the family. The house and cottage are highly intact and remain in excellent condition.

The State Register is Wisconsin’s official list of state properties determined to be significant to Wisconsin’s heritage. The State Historic Preservation Office at the Wisconsin Historical Society administers both the State Register and National Register in Wisconsin.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email