Welcome to the David McMillan House, an architectural masterpiece and a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of the 19th century in Wisconsin. This elegant High Victorian Gothic home stands as a beacon of the rich history of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and the legacy of its original owner, David Stiles McMillan.
Born in 1812 in Washington County, New York, David McMillan was a man of vision and ambition. After a stint in farming and establishing a woolen mill in Malone, New York, David moved west to Wisconsin in 1864. He settled with his family to oversee a sawmill on the Plover River. This sawmill was not just a local enterprise; its lumber traveled vast distances, even reaching markets as far as St. Louis and Dubuque. The McMillans owned a wholesale lumber yard in Keokuk, Iowa, further expanding their business reach.
In 1873, upon retiring, David McMillan commissioned the construction of this stunning Gothic Revival house. The house is celebrated as the finest example of High Victorian Gothic architecture in Stevens Point, with its distinctive steep roof planes, ornate bargeboards, and tall, narrow windows framed with hood molds.
The McMillan legacy continued through David’s sons, Benjamin Franklin McMillan and Charles V. McMillan, who expanded the family’s lumber empire. They established a new sawmill in what is now the Town of McMillan, Wisconsin, contributing to the region’s economic growth. The McMillan sons were instrumental in the development of several other businesses, including the Winnebago Furniture Company and a sawmill in Ontonagon, Michigan.
Today, the David McMillan House is recognized for its architectural significance and historical importance. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, ensuring its preservation for future generations to appreciate.
Walking by this remarkable house, one can almost hear the bustling sounds of the 19th-century lumber industry, envisioning the vibrant life and business acumen of the McMillan family that helped shape the economic landscape of Wisconsin.
