Listed in Arkansas Register of Historic Places on 12/03/14

SUMMARY

The Scheid House was constructed between 1914 and 1917 by Mr. Philip Henry Scheid for his growing family in North Little Rock. The house is an excellent example of the craftsman style of architecture and features unusually elaborate stonework, due in large part to Mr. Scheid’s profession as a stone cutter and stone supplier. Due to its architectural significance, the Philip H. Scheid House is being nomination to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places under Criteria C with local significance. Due to the installation of vinyl siding, the house is not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

ELABORATION

The Scheid House is located at 1805 West 18^th Street in North Little Rock. It sits at the eastern foot of Big Rock Mountain. The house was built on the western half of a double lot and is fronted by a wrought-iron fence. The surrounding neighborhood is known as Baring Cross. The house actually sits along the northwestern edge of the historical city of Baring Cross. The surrounding area is now an annexed neighborhood of North Little Rock; however, it had its origins with the creation of the once separate community and then official town of Baring Cross. The town of Baring Cross was formed in 1896 by a group of local prominent citizens in an effort to avoid being annexed by the city of Little Rock, which lies directly across the river to the south. The area was developed as a result of railroad traffic along the Arkansas River and the creation of the original Baring Cross Bridge. This bridge, built in 1873, was the first steel bridge to span the Arkansas River. The bridge originally only allowed for train passage, but eventually included accommodation for vehicular traffic. Today, the bridge has been significantly altered and only allows train passage.

With the new railroad crossing, most of the major railroads used the surrounding area for freight transfers and train maintenance. A community of railroad workers developed around the train yards, and community of Baring Cross was established. During the last decade of the 19^th century, the residents of the Baring Cross area were afraid the growing city of Little Rock to the south would begin proceeding to annex areas to the north, across the Arkansas River. In order to thwart this possibility, local residents of the area elected to create the town of Baring Cross officially in 1896. Afterwards, the town continued to grow along Pike Street. In 1905, the city of Baring Cross was annexed into the adjacent city of North Little Rock. Even though the actual city of Baring Cross ceased to exist in 1905, the area around the base of Big Rock Mountain and the train yards continued to be referred to as Baring Cross or the Baring Cross neighborhood. This designation was even noted in subsequent city directories for the city of North Little Rock.

Philip Scheid – Stone Cutter

Philip Henry Scheid came to the United States in 1896 with his brother from Bavaria, Germany. Philip was 15 at the time, having been born in Germany in 1880. Philip Scheid became a naturalized citizen in 1902 at age 21, most likely while serving as an apprentice stonecutter in Boston. After serving his apprentice years, Philip Scheid moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1904. In 1907, Scheid was working as a fully-fledged stone cutter for the stone supply firm of Stewart & Schmelzer. Between 1904 and 1912, according to local city directories, Philip Scheid lived at various boarding house and rental properties in Little Rock. This included at 515 Louisiana Street, which is also the same address for the Grand Central Hotel of Little Rock. It seems from Little Rock city directories that Scheid opened an independent stone cutting and supply firm between 1908 and 1909. His business address is listed at the Grand Central Hotel (515 Louisiana) from 1909 to 1911. Also according to city directories and local Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, between 1911 and 1913, Philip Scheid built a stone cutting plant near the rail lines in eastern Little Rock at 1301 East Second Street. This area is now occupied by the Clinton Presidential Library campus. With the rail-lines adjacent to his property, the Scheid stone cutting business was perfectly located to take advantage of rail transportation for large shipments of stone. At the time, the area surrounding the stone cutting plant was full of industrial buildings and companies, including a large furniture manufacturer, as well as a large community of African Americans to the east.

At some point between 1904 and 1915, Philip Scheid became involved with the building of the Arkansas State Capitol. In later newspaper articles and his own obituary, Philip Scheid is recognized as a supervisor of stone work for the Capitol Building:

“Death Claims P. H. Scheid Sr.

Philip Henry Scheid sr., 74, 1805 W. 18^th, North Little Rock, founder and owner of Scheid Stone Cutting Co., 1301 E. 3^rd, died yesterday in a Little Rock hospital.

Mr. Scheid served his stone cutting apprenticeship in Boston, moving to Little Rock in 1904. He supervised the cutting of marble for the capitol building on the capitol grounds. The stone for the building came from his quarry in Batesville.

He was a member of the 1^st Lutheran Church, Western Star Lodge 2, Masons, the Little Rock Consistory, Scimitar Shrine and the Little Rock Lions Club.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Louise Dobler Scheid; a son, Philip H. Scheid, Little Rock; two daughters, Mrs. G. A Selvits, Quincey, Mass., and Miss Margaret Scheid, North Little Rock; one sister Mrs. Elizabeth Maertins, Boston, Mass., and five grandchildren…”

With his stone cutting works in eastern Little Rock and his experience in the field, Scheid would have been perfectly placed to work on much of the stonework for the capitol. Sometime between 1907 and 1915, Philip Scheid acquired land in Batesville, Arkansas, suitable for providing limestone known as Arkansas Marble. According to local oral histories in Batesville, the Scheid Stone Quarry supplemented stone sent to Little Rock by the major stone contractor Pfeiffer Stone for the Arkansas Capitol building campaign. According to Mr. Wolford, a long time worker and owner in the stone industry in and around Batesville, Arkansas, some of the stone quarried at the Pfeiffer quarry was unsuitable due to the presence of slate in the limestone. The native Arkansas limestone, supplied by Pfeiffer, was used for the exterior of the Capitol Building. According to building reports, the native Arkansas limestone was harder than other stone and wore out the equipment quickly. Also, funding delays led stone suppliers to fill other contracts first and this may have been yet another reason that the Pfeiffer Company turned to Scheid Stone as a sub-contractor.

By 1909, the second major building campaign for the Capitol Building was finally underway. The previous building campaigns had all but stopped by 1907 due to funding issues and political wrangling. However, under the direction of architect Cass Gilbert, the Arkansas Capitol Building was finally finished by 1915. Scheid could have been involved with this project at any point during its construction. Unfortunately, no official capitol building records have been found that specifically name Scheid as a contractor or employee. His own family’s testament and his association with the local stone industry provide strong evidence for his role as a craftsman and possibly a leading manager for the stone work at the Arkansas Capitol Building.

The Scheids and the Schattlers

In 1912, or early 1913, Philip Scheid married Louise Schattler (also known as Louise Dobler). Louise Dobler was a resident of Little Rock, and like Philip an emigrant from Germany. Louise emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1908 at the age of 21. She most likely immigrated with her family, including sisters or cousins Amy, Emma and Frieda. By 1910, according to local city directories, Louise was living with Charles Schattler and his wife Sophia just outside North Little Rock. Interestingly, Louise’s twin sister remained in Germany until 1923, when she immigrated to Hot Springs, Arkansas, with her Swiss husband.

In 1900, Mr. Charles Schattler and his wife Sophia, both over age 50 are shown on census records as living alone in the Baring Cross area. Also on the 1900 census form, they state that they have at least four children, but none are currently living with them. In 1910, Charles and Sophia Schattler are the proprietors of Schattler’s Grove (also known as the Big Rock Club, Schattler’s Saloon and Schattler’s Restaurant) at the foot of Big Rock Mountain north of the Arkansas River. This business was located, as can best be determined by available historical references, at the foot of Big Rock Mountain, below the contemporary development of Fort Roots. This would place Schattler’s Grove somewhere in the vicinity of the current intersection of West 18^th Street and Crutcher Street. This location would have allowed the establishment to serve the soldiers and personnel of the newly established Fort Roots atop Big Rock Mountain as well as the local population. Schattler’s Grove was listed in contemporary city directories under both the “Saloon” and “Restaurant” sections.

Before 1910, according to census records, the Schattlers took in Amy, Louise, Frieda and Emma Dobler. These four women are all listed as nieces to the Schattlers. All four are younger than twenty-five and all unmarried. Also in the census of 1910, a Ms. Mina Katzenberger is shown as a boarder with the Schattlers and two men Fred and John Ader are listed as hired help and boarders. In 1911 and 1912, Emma, Amy, Frieda and Louise are all listed in the city directories with the last name of Schattler and all are still living at Schattler’s Grove. In 1913, only Emma and Frieda are still living with the Schattlers.

According to available records, it appears that Philip Scheid married Louise Schattler (Dobler) in late 1912 or early 1913. This would explain her disappearance from the contemporary city directories at the Schattler Grove address. Shortly after her marriage to Philip, Louise’s local family suffered a terrible double blow. On May 8, 1913, Charles Schattler died at age 65. One month later, his wife Sophia passed away as well. This left Schattler’s Grove without a manager and Emma and Freida, both still young and unmarried without a guardian. In 1913, Philip and Louise Scheid took over Schattler’s Grove. Philip continued to run his stone cutting business, as evidenced by city directories, and also managed the saloon and restaurant at Schattler’s Grove. While living at Schattler’s Grove, Philip and Louise had their first child, Margarete Louise Scheid on June 27^th, 1914.

With Scheid’s involvement at Schattler’s Grove at the foot of Big Rock Mountain, it is not surprising that the family built a house on property that was very near to the business. The land surrounding Schattler’s Grove may have been owned by Charles and Sophia Schattler, as the surrounding area now makes up Schattler’s First and Schattler’s Second addition to the city of North Little Rock. With his involvement with the Schattler estate, it is probable that Philip Scheid either earned or purchased some of the Schattler land during his time as Manager of the establishment. The Scheid House at 1805 West 18^th Street was built between 1914 and 1917. According to local city directories, the Scheid family had moved to 1717 West 18^th Street from Schattler’s Grove by 1917. This is apparently the house that still exists today, as the streets were renumbered at least once before the mid-1920s. Also in 1917, Philip and Louise have another daughter, Mildred C Scheid.

After Philip Scheid ended his association with Schattler’s Grove, the establishment quickly disappeared from local record. The business was no longer mentioned in city directories after 1918. Also in 1918, Philip Scheid registered for the draft under the Selective Services Act of 1917 at age 37. He appears he was never drafted.

The Scheid House

When constructed, the Scheid House was on the far western edge of North Little Rock. It was one of a very few buildings in the area. The land that Scheid built on had only recently been subdivided into lots and streets. The house was an elaborate addition to the newly established area and served as one of the most elaborate homes in the area. Even by 1939, most of the blocks to the north lacked any development. The house was also larger than most of the contemporary homes in the area. Today, the house is still a stand-out structure in the neighborhood. This is quite a feat for a home that is almost 100 years old.

The Scheid House was built in the Craftsman style, with elaborate cut stone detailing throughout. It exhibits the quintessential Craftsman characteristics of the cross-gabled type, including wide, overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails, decorative beams under the gables, large elaborate porches, tapered square column porch supports with column bases that extend to the ground and gabled dormers. The current synthetic siding echoes the narrow wood clapboard that would have been the original wall cladding. The use of stucco and stone is also a common feature.

This residence is an early example of high-style Craftsman architecture in North Little Rock. The Craftsman style of architecture was common throughout Arkansas from the turn of the 20^th century until the 1940s. The American Craftsman Style grew out a cultural reaction to the earlier Victorian era house style, including Queen-Anne. Architects like Greene & Greene in California created a new style that celebrated the arts and crafts movement as well as the family dynamic of the middle-class. The popularity of this new design and the publication of early examples in media throughout the United States allowed the style to spread quickly. In Arkansas, several good examples of Craftsman architecture survive. This house, however, is a unique example due to the extensive use of cut stone on both the exterior and interior. Although stone-work is a feature sometimes associated with Craftsman Style architecture, the fine quality and close association with the family business of the original builder/owner is unique. The Scheid family’s business of cut stone was truly put on display with the various uses of stone throughout the property. This is especially true of the intricate use of cut stone on the porches and interior fireplace. Rather than the more typical wood porch supports, the Scheid House features smooth cut granite columns and capitols resting on tall rusticated stone bases. On the interior of the house, the main formal living room is focused on a large rusticated stone fireplace, with intricate grout work and carved detailing. These original details are evidence of Philip Scheid’s stone craftsmanship in his own home.

Although there is no direct evidence for an architect, it can reasonably be assumed that Philip Scheid had a hand in much of the house’s design and construction. The varied use of stone throughout the property most assuredly came from the Scheid Stone Company. This house would have served as a valuable showplace for the stone-work from the Scheid Stone Cutting Company.

In 1922, Philip and Louise had their third child, son Philip Henry Scheid Jr. During the following decades, the Scheids continued to run their stone business and remained involved in the local community. Also, daughter Margarete eventually joined the stone business and helped out with the accounting. During the 1920s, Philip Scheid was elected as a Commissioner of Street Improvement District no. 509. He also provided services and/or supplies to the city of North Little Rock during the 1930s. In 1937, Scheid’s stone company provided $2946 worth of stone for the new Fine Arts Museum for the city of Little Rock. In 1941, Scheid was involved in a lawsuit over the payment of taxes on land near to his property along West 18^th Street. He eventually won his suit and was granted ownership of two lots in the original Schattler addition to North Little Rock.

On July 5^th, 1955, Philip Henry Scheid Sr. died at a Little Rock Hospital. He had lived at the house on West 18^th from c. 1917 until his death. After his death, the Scheid Stone Cutting Company closed and the stone-cutting equipment in Little Rock and the quarry in Batesville were all sold. The quarry eventually ended up under the ownership of the Arkansas Lime Company and is still an active stone quarrying site. Philip Scheid’s wife, Louise, and daughter, Margarete, continued to live at this house until Louise’s death in February of 1984. Daughter Margarete, who never married, died in Little Rock in 2007. After Louise’s death, the property was sold to James Maxwell, an employee of the Veterans Administration at Fort Roots. The current owner, Mr. Lasker Bell, purchased the property from the Maxwell family and is only the third owner of the home.

 Ibid.

 Ibid.

 Census Rolls, 1920 and 1930.

 Citizenship Records for Philip H. Scheid, Northeastern District Court, accessed at Ancestry.com. His sister, Elizabeth Maertins, was still living in Boston at his death in 1955. “Stone Cutter Dies;” Arkansas Gazette, July 6, 1955, 28. The main reason for Philip Scheid’s naturalization seems to be to gain a US passport for a trip back to Germany in 1902.

 North Little Rock City Directory, 1907.

 “Death Claims P. H. Scheid Sr.” Arkansas Democrat, July 6, 1955. 6.

 Information provided by the Old Independence Regional Museum, Batesville, Arkansas.

 Census Rolls from 1910 list a Louisa Tobler living with Mr. and Mrs. Schattler. Louisa Tobler, Emma Tobler, Fridea Tobler and Amy Tobler are all listed with the Schattlers and are noted as being nieces of the couple. Mrs. Mary Schatter’s maiden name was Dobler, and these girls were mostly likely her nieces. The name on the census form was likely a miss-spelling or a miss-communication due to a possible German accent.

 Louise Dobler/Schattler was born on August 29, 1887 along with her twin sister Anna. Census Rolls, 1930. “Twins Celebrate.” Hope Star, August 31, 1962.

 Census Rolls, 1930. “Twins Celebrate.” Hope Star, August 31, 1962.

 Refer to footnote #9.

 “Margarete Louise Scheid.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, November 25, 2007, Arkansas Sec.

 WWI Draft Registration for Mr. Philip H. Scheid dated September 12, 1918, Ancestry.com. Accessed September 2, 2014.

 Margarete Scheid remained unmarried for her entire live. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas. She was also noted as being one of the first female bank tellers in the state of Arkansas. “Margarete Louise Scheid.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, November 25, 2007, Arkansas Sec.

 North Little Rock City Council Meeting Minutes. May 14, 1934 & March 27. 1933.

 Ibid.

 Hamilton, Becky. “An Art Gallery Which Shall Be Little Rock’s Own.” PulaskiCounty Historical Review 33 (Fall 1985) 63.

 “Schmeltzer v. Scheid.” Supreme Court of Arkansas Opinion. December 8, 1941. Docket Number 4-6503. Vol. 203.

 “Death Claims P. H. Scheid Sr.” Arkansas Democrat, July 6, 1955. 6.

 Powell, Wilson. “Marble at Hackensack.” Batesville Daily Guard, July 8, 2002.

 “Margarete Louise Scheid.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, November 25, 2007, Arkansas Sec.

SIGNIFICANCE

As an example of excellent stone craftsmanship and as an interesting early example of a Craftsman style home in central Arkansas the Philip H. Scheid House is being nomination to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places under Criteria C with local significance. The Philip H. Scheid House’s stone-work is a rare surviving example of a construction project clearly associated with the Scheid Stone Cutting Company and the craftsmanship of Philip H. Scheid.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bradburn, Cary. “Baring Cross (Pulaski County).” The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. March 26, 2013. Accessed September 2, 2014.

Bradburn, Cary. On the Opposite Shore: The Making of North Little Rock. Walsworth Publishing Company, Inc.: Marceline, MO. 2004.

“Charles Schattler.” Arkansas Gazette, May 9, 1913. Obituary, 9.

“Charles Schattler.” Arkansas Gazette, May 10, 1913. Obituary, 9.

"Death Claims P. H. Scheid Sr." Arkansas Democrat, July 6, 1955, Obituaries sec.

Hamilton, Becky. “An Art Gallery Which Shall Be Little Rock’s Own.” Pulaski County Historical Review 33 (Fall 1985): 63-69.

Henry, Marguerite Keller. “Some Early German Speaking Settlers in Pulaski County.” PulaskiCounty Historical Review 37 (Winter 1989): 70-81.

Interview with Mr. Wolford of the Wolford Stone Companies, Batesville, Arkansas. Old Independence Regional Museum, Batesville, AR.

“It Happened in Argenta in 1894.” Arkansas Times, June 14, 1940. Looking Back Sec.

“Little Rock – (AP) – Phillip Henry Scheid Sr.” Camden News, July 6, 1955. News in Brief Sec.

Little Rock, Argenta and North Little Rock City Directories 1900-1955.

"Margarete Louise Scheid." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, November 25, 2007, Arkansas sec.

McAlester, Virginia & Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. (Alfred A. Knopf: New York, NY), 1984.

North Little Rock City Council Meeting Minutes. May 14, 1934 & March 27, 1933.

“Philip Henry Scheid.” North Little Rock Times, July 14, 1955. Deaths Sec.

Powell, Wilson. “Marble at Hackensack.” Batesville Daily Guard, July 8, 2002.

Pulaski County Tax Assessors Records for 1805 W. 18^th Street, North Little Rock, AR.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Little Rock & North Little Rock, 1913, 1939, 1939-1950.

“Schattler’s Grove.” Notes from North Little Rock City Council Minutes, November 9, 1904 & November 30, 1904. North Little Rock History Commission files.

“Schmeltzer v. Scheid.” Supreme Court of Arkansas Opinion. December 8, 1941. Docket Number 4-6503. Vol. 203.

"Schrader Negatives Collection." Arkansas History Commission, Little Rock, AR.

“Sophia Schattler: Grief Causes Her Death.” Arkansas Gazette, June 3, 1913. Obituary, 9.

“Stone Cutter Dies; Supervised Work on State Capitol.” Arkansas Gazette, July 6, 1955. 28.

"Twins Celebrate." Hope Star, August 31, 1962.

US Census Rolls, 1890-1930.

Ware, David. "Arkansas State Capitol Building." The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. November 20, 2009. Accessed September 2, 2014.

WWI Draft Registration for Mr. Philip H. Scheid dated September 12, 1918, Ancestry.com. Accessed September 2, 2014.