2004 Featured Homes Original Tour Brochure
195 West Seventeenth
Probably built near the end of the 1850's, this threestory, sixteen-room mansion located adjacent to the Old Seminary Hill Steps started out life in a much simpler form (it closely resembled the front of 175 W. 17th.) It was added on to and extensively modified a number of times to arrive at its present whimsical Queen Anne look. It was owned by a number of notable families along the way. Samuel Root, the noted photographer, owned it from about 1867 to 1889 and probably added the rear addition including the dining room and kitchen. Charles Stampfer, a prominent dry goods store owner and early businessman, owned it for about thirty- five years and added the tower and turret, and third floor as well, as making a number of other changes to the interior. William Lawther Jr. purchased the property in 1924 and it remained in his family until 1980. It had at one time been converted into apartments and subsequently operated as a bed and breakfast. The present owners, Jim and Pam Jacobsen, are currently restoring the house.
Inside, you'll find a formal dining room with coffered ceiling and paneled walls, pocket doors, and a carved staircase with stained-glass windows winding its way up the tower. Lighting includes a number of Steuben and Quezal fixtures and shades that were added in a renovation shortly after the turn of the Twentieth Century. This house was one of only two in Iowa featured in the book America's Painted Ladies. All three floors of this property will be featured on this tour.
175 West Seventeenth
In the past, many owners have been credited with building this residence. Research now indicates that the rear portion of the structure may have been built as early as 1848 by the Corriell family. Ora Holland designed the front "addition" to this Italianate style residence for H.T. Woodman, a Dubuque geologist in 1867. It was next to the home of photographer Samuel Root and was described as a "handsome brick residence, two stories high, of irregular shape." David Oliver, of Oliver and Cragin, purchased this home and finished fitting out the front in 1881. James Cushing, a Dubuque ice baron and owner of the Northwest Vinegar Works, purchased the house in 1891. His son lived at 1752 Main, on the hillside immediately north, and a catwalk linked the two houses. William Lawther, Sr. lived here between 1899- 1928 and added the current Queen Anne style rounded wrap-around front porch.
The house is very well preserved with an entrance featuring double doors with leaded glass windows and the original front staircase. The front parlor features a fireplace with ornate Italian majolica mosaic tiles and throughout the house there is extensive use of fine hardwood with inlaid parquet, hand-painted ceiling medallions, and intricate moldings, all original to the house. The second story includes five bedrooms and three baths, and is complemented by a double-decker porch with a second story sunroom.
1492 Locust
Constructed by manufacturer and financier Benjamin B. Richards in 1883 and occupied by his family until 1989, this four-story Stick style (a variation on the Queen Anne style) mansion with Eastlake detailing is one of the most original Victorian homes in Dubuque.
The building boasts its original interior complete with seven ornate fireplaces, over eighty stained and leaded glass windows, seven types of varnished woodwork, pocket doors, ornate fretwork and elaborate built-ins. Fifteen patterns of original embossed wall coverings line a number of walls and ceilings. Hundreds of ceramic tiles grace the fireplaces, bookcases, and chair rails.
Period light fixtures (many original to the house) with Victorian art glass shades provide illumination for the mansion which now operates as a bed and breakfast inn. It is furnished with period antiques including many items of furniture, artwork and ceramics from the original owners.
The original exterior shows the exuberance of Victorian architecture with multiple shapes of cedar shingles, clapboards, projecting bays, carved gable bargeboards, and stickwork. Due to deferred maintenance, the exterior is currently under restoration, but you won't want to miss the chance to tour this award winning home.
1433 Main
Architect Fridolin Heer designed this Italianate style brick home for Colonel David B. Henderson and his family. It was completed in 1874. Colonel Henderson was a Scottish immigrant who was wounded twice while serving as an officer in the U.S. Civil War. He became a lawyer, Internal Revenue Service collector, and U.S. Assistant District Attorney before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1883. Congressman Henderson represented Dubuque in Washington D.C. for twenty years, eventually serving as Speaker of the House during President Teddy Roosevelt's first term. As Speaker, he was third in line to the presidency.
The first floor boasts double parlors with eleven foot ceilings, double pocket doors, a leaded glass piano window, antique chandeliers, built-in book cases with antique graining, oak floors and a turn of the century, nickel plated gas fireplace insert. The rear of the second floor is a family suite featuring a master bedroom, sitting room and nursery connected by a second set of recently discovered pocket doors. The owners have also created a walk up attic bedroom and family room with exposed cross beams, restored wide plank pine flooring and the original wooden ladder leading to the sixteen foot high cupola platform.
1344 Locust
This house was built in the mid-1800s. John H. Thompson came to Dubuque in 1857 from Virginia with his wife and two year old son and lived here until 1882. Thompson went into the wholesale notion business on a large scale with a Mr. McClay. The firm was known as Thompson-McClay from 1864-1882. After finishing his schooling, his son joined the firm.
The style of the house is late Federal. It is a two story brick duplex with stepped roof gambles. It has cast pedimented lintels and sills, and paired brackets beneath the cornice, a classical revival full-width front porch, squared pillars and composite capitals. The porch balustrades are stuccoed. There is not much known about the house after Thompson owned it. In 1899 E.C. Peascee lived here as well as a Mrs. N.E. Lewis.
Jeanelle Westerfield, the present owner, bought the building in 1988, restored it to its present state adding a full width deck to the back and a small perennial garden with brick walkway and fenced in sides. Also in back there is a restored garage.
Jeanelle has used it for an "Art and Antique"/"Gallery"/art studio. It is now the home of the "Page Art Studio" where Jeanelle "Page" Westerfield resides. Her studio occupies part of the second floor and third floor of the building where she restores antique lamps for dealers around the country, and paints plein air florals, landscapes, and still life paintings using oils, acrylics and pastels. She has been an artist in Dubuque for over thirty years.