Clara and Julius Schmidt House

The Clara and Julius Schmidt House, built in 1888 in Wabasha, Minnesota, is a notable example of Italianate architecture featuring distinctive tinwork. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, this historic house showcases the craftsmanship of the late-19th-century merchant class. With its unique brick veneer, jerkinhead roof, and decorative tin window hoods, the Schmidt House stands out as the last Italianate brick residence among a dwindling number from that era in Wabasha. Visitors can appreciate its architectural significance and the story of Julius Schmidt, a local businessman who embraced tinwork as a middle-class alternative to stone detailing. The house also has historical ties to Schmidt Park, donated by Clara Schmidt after her husband's passing.