my home

Il buono e il bello

A work of Joe Landsberger

Featured additions

Gardens
Two additions were constructed in 1983 and 1991. They are pictured above (with the second floor balcony)
Garden house (2000) replicates the restored pattern of vertical and horizontal "stick work"
Timberframe addition in process (2004-)
Japanese granite lanterns and lighting (2000)
Restoration of an American Craftman style house
Not pictured above!

My primary residence (above) was built in 1880 for Joseph and Frances Haag, who raised five children on this property. Joseph (1852-1915) was a German tinsmith and hardware dealer whose shop was located at 305-309 West Seventh Street in St. Paul. The house originally faced Leech Street to the west on the same lot, but in 1886 Haag built a much larger house for his growing family and moved this house to its current location farther east, facing Goodrich Street and the bluff. Haag's second and larger residence has since been demolished. Notably, Joseph Haag had been raised on the same block. His parents, Valentine and Annie Haag, built their first home in St. Paul at 88 Leech (then numbered 13 McBoal). Their original 1857 homestead still stands near the alley to the rear of 88 Leech, where it is currently used as a shed. Several other "alley houses" (some pre-dating the Civil War) can be found in Uppertown today, most having been converted to garages or storage sheds.

Before

Generally a neo-gothic, Victorian stick style home is constructed of wood; and is angular, asymmetrical, vertical and has a lot of detailing! This style originated with Andrew Jackson Downing (1815 –52) and house pattern books of the 1860s and 1870s. Downing also founded the magazine “Horticulturist” and was known for his garden and park design. A representative of the Victorian Stick Style, the Haag House features this typical gabled, steeply pitched roof with overhangs. Although the house has lost its original porch and southwest bay

The location of this home is at a unique point of the bluff of the Mississippi River Bridge. The gardens enhance this choice bluff site and its river valley character. The landscaping features beige granite traditional Japanese lanterns and stone path lighting. These complement natural and sculpted limestone retaining walls. The perennial gardens merge oriental and western design.

The interior of the first floor or the original house has lost its original woodwork except for the front stairwell. The redesign of the front formal rooms reflects Scandinavian and deco influences with a mix of maple, walnut, oak and wengee for flooring and trim. The kitchen features a circa 1930 stove and antique Dutch tiles. The music room and back stairwell is oak. Handrails are from the notorious Faust Theater (Dale and University Avenues; demolished 1995). The second floor bedrooms of the original house retain their window and door trim and maple flooring. The entertainment room features a sweeping view of the urban river valley, and its maple trim was recycled.