The builder of 2648, Charles J. Buell, moved to Minneapolis from New York City in 1880. He served as principal of the Whittier School before becoming a master builder. He built his first two houses in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood of Minneapolis in 1884; 2648 Emerson S., built 1885, is his third. In 1888, he started building in St. Paul. From 1884-1919 Buell built 30 houses, 25 of which are still standing. The Beardley-Cartwright house is among his grandest.
Once you’re familiar with Buell’s distinctive designs, it’s easy to pick them out of an architectural lineup. Here’s one of his St. Paul houses from 1889: 2214 Hillside. The exterior resembles 2648, but is a simpler shape. This house cost less than half of what 2648 cost ($2,400 vs. $5,100). It would be interesting to see the differences in their interiors.
Buell Building List:
1884 402 W. Franklin (residence) Mpls.
2521 Aldrich Ave. S. $2,000 Mpls.
2525 Aldrich Ave. S. $2,000 Mpls.
1885 2648 Emerson Ave. S. $5,100 Mpls.
1887 2714 Girard Ave. S. $1,500 Mpls.
1888 2177 Commonwealth $5,000 St. Paul
2173 Commonwealth $500 St. Paul
2210 (Langford N.) Hillside $2,400 St. Paul
930 Bayless $7,450 St. Paul Wrecked
1889 2360 Bayless $5.000 St. Paul
2230-32 (Langford N.) Hillside $5,000 St. Paul
2214 (Langford N.) Hillside $2,400 St. Paul
25 Langford Park West $5,000 St. Paul
1890 2223 Knapp $2,450 St. Paul
1094-96 E. Bayless $6,000 St. Paul Wrecked
1891 977 W. Bayless $2,500 St. Paul
2219 Knapp $3,000 St. Paul
1898 1717 Irving Ave. S. Mpls.
1901 1859 Dayton $3,500 St. Paul
1902 1791 Dayton $2,000 St. Paul
1905 2308 Commonwealth $3,500 St. Paul
1906 1879 Dayton $4.250 St. Paul
1541 Ashland $4,500 St. Paul
1909 1549 Ashland $4.250 St. Paul
1550 Laurel $5,000 St. Paul
1910 1546 Laurel $4,000 St. Paul
1534 Laurel $4,500 St. Paul
1911 1514 Ashland $3,500 St. Paul
1913 1540 Ashland $3,500 St. Paul Wrecked
1528 Laurel $5,000 St. Paul
1915 4748 Bryant $5,000 Mpls.
4744 Bryant Mpls.
1919 2173 Commonwealth $3,200 St. Paul
(compiled by Anders Christensen)