Charles 'Jack' Halsted may be better known to many in the local area as Utica Jack. He spent a lifetime supplying his knowledge and craftsmanship for many homes in the area. Jack was a contractor out of Utica, South Dakota and he built and supplied materials for many a home hereabouts.
He ran the family business Utica Lumber out of that said town and for quite some time the Utica Grain elevator too. He learned the business at the heels of his Aunt Mary and eventually Jack took over. When Jack worked on a project, he was meticulous and detailed delivering a superior product because he knew it was a home he was building not just a house. Like many small-town businesses there were years of boom and bust but he always provided for his family and friends.
Jack would end up in semi-retirement and he and his wife Sharon even converted the old lumber yard into a thriving apartment complex which they ran in retirement for many years. The apartments still live on today.
Then in the midst of his retirement the Lake House project came about, and Jack was cajoled out of that peaceful retirement by his daughters and son. It may be of note that Jack never had a chance, that group can convince many to do much.
Jack, the kids knew, would bring his 'devil in the details' attitude to the Lake House. Jack did exactly that. Jack reviewed the plans, the bid, the contract and spoke with the contractor Jon Moser all before we jumped too far into the project. It would not happen without his blessing, which he gave with many a warning as was his wont. Then when the project started Jack really got to work. Jack would visit the site every day and sometimes more to measure progress, offer advice and prompt work from and to the contractors and their subcontractors on stairs, plumbing, concrete and any detail he made note of.
Jack was always a frank man and got right to the point of any issues he saw. The contractor to his credit was patient and understanding of Jack's habits and I suspect enjoyed the kindred spirit of the retired lumberyard veteran. A few of the kids may have stepped in here and there to help mediate any rough patches per-say but those moments were few, again to the credit of all involved.
Great credit to Jon Moser and his team obviously for the build and wonderful craftsmanship in the final product but there is also a lot of Jack Halsted in the last house he oversaw. In fact, it in a way The Lake House holds the last of Jack's craftsmanship. Lasting craftsmanship which is evident in the Lake House and the many houses and projects he built in Yankton and the surrounding area.
Jack did a special project with this house where you can see that craftsmanship on display. One of his daughters saw something on the interwebs and wanted it recreated (from the tiny picture on her phone) in the Lake House. A set of bookshelves. Jack performed the feat with aplomb.
The bookshelves in the game room are the ones handcrafted by Jack. In his retirement He built many cabinets, curios, armoires and quite a few other items. Great treasured quality work from old bones to be sure. We are blessed his work is here in this house.
Jack left us only a few days after completing the bookshelves and shortly before the house was finished. He succumbed to injuries from a fall in May of 2019. Today would have been his eighty sixth birthday and so we wanted to jot a note about his last accomplished work before he shuffled off this mortal coil.
Jack left a bit too early perhaps, but he left having given much to many and the foundations he built were not just for houses but for family. Foundations we hope you will get to use, enjoy and build on during a stay here at the Lake House.
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