The Wakefield House

The Wakefield House was built in 1868 of locally made brick for James B. Wakefield. It is the oldest structure in Blue Earth. The house is an L-shaped, two story Italianate residence with arched windows. Devoid of brackets and other applied ornament, the primary design emphasis of the house is placed on the front entry which consists of a door flanked by side lights and a semi-circular transom., James B. Wakefield was born and educated in Connecticut and was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1851. He moved to Minnesota in 1854. In 1856 he came with three others to the virgin prairies of this area to found the city of Blue Earth and organize Faribault County. He served in many county offices. In 1857 he was elected to the last Territorial Legislature and the First State Legislature. In 1861 he was appointed Deputy Agent at the Lower Sioux Agency. He returned to the Legislature in 1863, became Speaker of the House in 1866 and later served in the State Senate for two years. He was elected Republican Lieutenant Governor under John Pillsbury and served two terms. In 1883 he was elected to the United States Congress and served two terms. After his retirement, he returned to Blue Earth for the rest of his life., Wakefield's political accomplishments make this house one of the most historically significant houses in the area. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.