THE LEA HOUSE: In 1971, Garfield kept a promise he had made when we were married--that of giving me a plot of land that would provide beauty and privacy in which to rear our family.  We bought the family homestead and moved our children, Paulette, Valerie, Andrea, and Kristopher to the country.  It was a dramatic change for the girls but for Kristopher it meant a three-wheeler, an air rifle and living across the field from his cousins.

In 1866, Amound and Christine Lea came to Minnesota and settled on the rich farm land near Lake Hassel.  After living in a sod dugout for the first year, they constructed a house that became home to their six children.  The children grew into adulthood, married and stayed in the area.  Some became merchants, but others chose farming.  Thomas and his second wife Julia Nermo, were to farm and live on the homestead.  At this time Amound and Christine built a new and more grand home near the pond.

Thomas and Julia were blessed with three daughters, as often happened in those days, one of the little girls died as a toddler.  At the time of Christine’s death some years later, Amound suggested that the larger house be moved to its present site.  He continued to live with his son and family until his death at the age of 93 years.

Thomas’ interest lay elsewhere, he found that contracting and banking were more to his liking.  He and his family retained ownership of the farm but rented to a man who he considered to be a worthy farmer. That man happened to be my Grandfather, Christian Svingen. As you see Garfield and I both have ties to this land.

The house is a simple prairie style of the early 1900s.  The wide soffets provide shade from the summer sun. The bay window that graces the living room contains a leaded glass window from the first house.  It is well over a hundred years old.  The exterior of the house is much like it was when it was first built.

Many changes had to be made to accommodate our family and our life style.  The plans for the renovation of the interior were made by Charlotte and with the help of a wonderful carpenter, Walter Wanberg, the house became the home she had always dreamed of.

By repositioning the spaces, a lovely foyer took shape and the open stair-case gave a feeling of greater expanse. As Charlotte had envisioned, one of their daughters, Valerie, was married in the home and descended the lovely stairway.  The next room to be tackled was the kitchen.  It needed to be large enough for five cooks and at least two other helpers.  It is Charlotte’s favorite room.  An addition to the back of the house provided for a Master bedroom and bath, a dining room and a family room along with a laundry, craft room, and a dinette for every day meals.

As you wander around the house you will see a fireplace built of South Dakota Granite and beams from the barn that was torn down and an entertainment center of barn lumber.  The doors and some of the wood work on the main floor are from the Hoban House which was destroyed the same year we renovated ours.  That hardware is original to the doors from the 1800s.  The doors on the second floor are pine and were in this house.

The foyer floor is of Mexican Glass tile and the tile floor in the powder room has our name spelled out in it.  This was a home known for its grand entertaining and gracious living.  We feel so fortunate to have saved it from decay and that our children and grandchildren can grow up in the shadows of their ancestors.

We hope that your visit will provide you with a feeling of relaxation and peacefulness.  May your time with us encourage a return visit.