Vintage Venues: McGrath home has rich history

In celebration of south Wood County’s rich history, Vintage Venues — a Daily Tribune weekly feature — puts the spotlight on the past and the story behind some of the most historically significant local sites.

McGrath Home, 811 Elm St., Wisconsin Rapids

Brief history: The home that Ken and Sue McGrath bought in 1972 was moved to that location in 1921. It is not known when the home was built, but research shows that it had been used as a barn on the Isaac Witter farm and could have been built around 1890. The Witter farm encompassed much of the land east of Third Street, now including a couple of churches and Assumption High School.

Dr. Joe Goodrich purchased lot 1 and half of lot 2 of the Wisconsin Heights addition in the city, and the house was moved to the corner of Elm and Fourth streets. Fourth Street later was renamed Chestnut Street. Goodrich lived there with his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Goodrich, and their two sons, Joe Jr. and Jim. Joe died in World War II, and Jim lives in Indiana. Both are graduates of Lincoln High School.

The McGrath family moved in with two sons and later added two more children. It might be the only home in the city where a Miss Wisconsin played the grand piano in the living room. Their daughter Molly won the title in 2004. The McGrath family now has five grandchildren with another due to arrive this year.

The first project the McGraths tackled after moving in was to add a fireplace in the living room. The footings were already there, so they just finished a plan that was started years earlier.

An open stairway leads to three bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor. A small bedroom and half bath on the first floor is used as an office. The first time the McGraths looked at the home they realized it was a shrine to the son who died in World War II. The first landing going to the second floor opens to a large sundeck.

Also on the first floor is a dining room, kitchen and gathering room that once was an enclosed porch. French doors lead from the entry hall to the living room. Any changes that have been made have stayed true to the original footprint of the home. There are hardwood floors throughout and crown molding in many of the rooms.

An attached garage was converted to a three-season porch/spa when an unattached garage was built.

The McGraths rented a home when they moved to Wisconsin Rapids with their two young children. Ken is a retired history teacher from Lincoln High School, and Sue is a nurse retired from Riverview Hospital, where she managed emergency services and later was a nursing supervisor. She rode her bike to work and went past the house every day. When they heard it was for sale, they immediately checked into it.

The McGraths have decorated and furnished the home in ways to enhance this early 20th century structure. A traditional style fits well in this treasure of a home.

Dr. Joe Goodrich was born in 1884 in Athens, Maine. After graduating college, he studied Osteopathy in Missouri and earned his medical degree in 1915. He worked in Indiana for a year before coming to Wisconsin Rapids, where he was appointed hospital manager and served as administrator for many years. He enjoyed playing tennis, golfing, fishing and hunting.

Interesting fact: Before going to medical school, Goodrich decided to see the world. Not having any money, he became a tramp riding rail cars. He traveled with the then-famous King Hobo Pat Butterworth. They also rode in many foreign countries, cooking all their meals as well as sleeping in the open. He loved to entertain people with stories of his travels. Goodrich died at the age of 88 in 1972 and his wife, Elizabeth, died the year before.

Share ideas for Vintage Venues with Nancy Quick at redquick@wctc.net.