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Why Habitat chose to rehab a century old house
When you think about Habitat for Humanity, do you picture a new house rising from an empty lot? While new construction remains an important part of our work, sometimes the best way to create affordable homeownership is to invest in a home that already exists.
That's why Habitat La Crosse chose to move and rehabilitate a century-old house in La Crosse’s Washburn Neighborhood.
A few years ago, as Three Sixty Real Estate began planning the new C&C Residences development, they donated one of the historic homes on the block to Habitat along with two parcels of land. We moved the house to one of the parcels to begin rehabilitation. This is where the next era of the house begins.
Preserving high-quality materials that you can’t replace
This American Foursquare style home was constructed 100 years ago with materials that are simply not available today.
The framing lumber in this house came from old-growth forests and was milled from trees that grew slowly over many decades. As a result, the wood is denser and stronger than much of the lumber commonly used in modern construction. We are preserving as much of this original structure as possible.
The same philosophy guides our approach to the home's architectural details. Volunteers have carefully removed, labeled, and stored original doors and trim so they can be returned to their proper places once construction is complete. Throughout the home, we're preserving features that reflect the craftsmanship of the home’s builders: leaded glass windows, the staircase railing, and other details that give the house its character.
By rehabilitating this home, we're not only creating affordable housing. We’re preserving a piece of our community's built heritage.
A sustainable approach
Rehabilitation is also an investment in sustainability.
Every wall we save, every piece of trim we restore, and every original feature we preserve reduces the amount of material that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Instead of demolishing a structurally sound home and starting over, we're building on the resources that are already here.
Affordable housing and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. Reusing existing materials and structures helps us make the most of the investments that previous generations have already made. Plus, we’re not purchasing new materials that require energy-intensive manufacturing and extraction processes.
Honoring the people who built this house
One of the most remarkable discoveries during the rehabilitation has been evidence of the people who built the home a century ago.
As volunteers worked on the house, they uncovered signatures on some of the original trimwork: "John J. Stangl, 10th & Ferry." According to tax records, Stangl was the property's original owner and builder. More than 100 years later, his handwriting remains hidden within the walls and woodwork of the house he helped create.
Today, a new generation is leaving its mark on the Division Street house. Women Build volunteers, Team Builds, former homeowners, and Habitat staff have signed 2x4s with messages of encouragement and support for future Habitat homeowners Zang and Xia. Other volunteers have carefully labeled and documented original materials to ensure they can be returned to their original locations.
Some of these markings will be visible. Others will remain hidden. But all of them become part of the home's continuing story.
From one family to another
This house was home to four generations of Dolezels, beginning with Matthias and Elizabeth, who moved there in 1938. Recently, family members stopped by to visit the house and share their memories. Margaret, pictured in the center, is the only surviving child of Matthias and Elizabeth.
As descendants of Matthias and Elizabeth wandered through the rooms, memories flowed. We are so grateful to Jim Dolezel and the entire Dolezel family for sharing their stories and helping us celebrate the home's history.
In a few months, a new family—Zang, Xia, and their four kids—will purchase the home from Habitat and start their next chapter.
Building on a strong foundation
At Habitat La Crosse, our goal is not simply to construct houses. Our goal is to create opportunities for people to build resilient futures through affordable homeownership.
In this case, rehabilitation allows us to do that while preserving quality materials, honoring the work of those who came before us, reducing waste, and strengthening an existing neighborhood.
From the builder who first raised these walls to the volunteers restoring them today, countless hands have contributed to this home. Soon, Zang and Xia will add their own chapter to its story.
A hundred years ago, someone built this house to last. Today, Habitat staff and volunteers are ensuring it lasts another hundred years.
Partner Family
Stories
Darshida has been working to become a homeowner for years. She is a passionate nurse, a dedicated mother to four boys, and a longtime La Crosse resident. After years of hard work and unforeseen obstacles, Darshida and her family moved into their new home in spring 2023.