Experiencing "North HILL" Burlington,IA Preview

1

Great River Bridge

​We begin at the Mississippi river where WEST bound settlers came. They came to “Flint Hills” which was opened to European settlement in 1833. It was soon renamed “Burlington” after Burlington, Vermont.​Burlington was the second Capitol of the Wisconsin Territory (1837-1838) and first capitol of the Iowa Territory (1838-1840). Iowa became a state in 1846. The current capitol is located in Des Moines, Iowa.Ahead is the beautiful Great River Bridge stretching across the Mississippi River to Illinois. It is 2,796 ft. Long with a 60ft clearance above the water. The current bridge cost $42 million to construct and opened soon after the Great Flood of 1993. The Bridge that preceded the Great River Bridge was the “MacArthur Bridge” (1917 to 1993). FYI: From 1833 until 1917 (84 years) the only way to cross the Mississippi at Burlington was by boat or Ferry. Trains could go over the railroad bridge which was built in 1865.Burlington was the first in the western part of the USA to have Incorporated a Golf Course, FM station, Masonic Lodge, Dental Society in Iowa, Medical Society, Post Office and many other things.Over $100,000,000 has been invested in Burlington over the last ten years to improve its historical architectural assets.

2

Big Muddie Restaurant

As we turn the corner on the door side is Big Muddies restaurant. Note: This restaurant is now closed! Big Muddies was in 1898 a freight house for Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad which began in 1866. Currently the railroad (Burlington Junction Railroad) is one of nine railroads that once came in and out of Burlington.

3

Burlington Public Library

Straight ahead is the Burlington Public Library. Started 1868 by Grimes and friends as a subscription library. The current Library opened 2006. This library is heated and cooled by a Geo Thermal System. This library is not a Carnegie Library and never was. It was and is privately funded. On the drivers side are some of the oldest houses in Burlington. This is a group of four side-gable, two-story, brick row-houses. The two center row-houses appear to have been originally constructed, with adjacent row-houses to the north and south then constructed within the 1840s as well. The three row houses to the north retain their original three bay configuration, with a newer brick façade on the south row house at 610. The roofs retain portions of the connected double brick chimneys, reflecting the Federal style. The brick houses sit on stone foundations.

4

Des Moines County Courthouse

On the door side is the Des Moines County courthouse built in 1940 designed by Keffer and Jones Des Moines and built by Paul Steenberg of St. Paul, MN for $240,000. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The architectural style of the building is known as Depression Modern or PWA Moderne. Note :Burlington serves as the county seat of Des Moines County. Des Moines County is one of the two original counties along with Dubuque County. Today there are 99 counties in the State of Iowa (which became a state in 1846).

5

Turn West of Main onto Columbia

As we turn toward the west we will head from main two blocks to St. Paul Catholic Church and Des Moines County Historical Society buildings.​​

6

St. Paul Catholic Church

On the door side is St. Paul’s Catholic Church.. A small brick building was constructed here in 1840. The current building was designed by a Chicago architect James J. Edgan, in the High Victorian Gothic Revival style. It is made of native limestone. Inside the church It still has its station of the cross statuaries. Beautiful stained glass windows grace the inside of the church. The church bell (in front of the church, circa 1842) was ordered at the same time as the bell for the Methodist Church. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli purchased the First St. Paul Bell in 1842.

7

The Des Moines County Heritage Center

On the driver’s side is the Des Moines County Heritage Center (formerly the Burlington Public Library 1868-2006) (Gothic Revival style). It has a wonderful museum on three floors with an elevator. If you love history, especially the early history of Iowa, you will especially enjoy this museum. On the lower floor of the museum Is the “Blue Moon” room which is a replica of a New York night club. It is dedicated to BART Howard a native of Burlington. He was a very popular song writer in the 50’s. He is famous for the song “Fly Me to the Moon”.

8

North Hill Park

On the driver’s side North Hill Park This was the center of all civic events in Burlington in the 1830's. Dr. Ross (a founding father of Burlington) held the 1st school session and religious service here in 1834. Burlingtons first store building was on this hill. There was once a jail 1836 -1850’s and a Post office’s located on the south side of this park. The trees in North Hill Park represent the type of trees present all over Iowa

9

Turn of 4th Street East onto Arch

We are now in the North Hill part of Burlington's residential area. After crossing highway 34 we move north on 4th street turning east onto Arch on our way to north 3rd street.​

10

Turn North of of Arch Street onto North Third

Third Street residence look out from a Bluff 200 feet above the Mississippi.On the driver’s side One of the two brick houses was the home of Louella Parsons (born Louella Rose Oettinger in Freeport, Illinois), well known gossip columnist 1914 –1965. Louella’s only daughter (Harriet) was born in Burlington in 1906.

11

922 N Third King-Kelly House

On the Door Side 922 N 3rd street. This was probably the first pre-fabricated house west of the Mississippi River. First owned by Margret Kelly who came here on a Bridal Trip in 1835. Margret Kelly married and stayed. As a Bridal gift Margaret’s grandfather William King of Virginia built her a house. The house was a prefab sent down the Mississippi to Burlington. The house was erected on the Bluff in 1841. There bluff was then called “Kellys Bluff”. In 1916 Charles C. Clark purchased and refurbished the current house to its current state. Charles was a prominent lawyer. Has 5 bedrooms 3 1/2 baths and 2 HUGE wrap around porches.

12

Mosquito Park

Corner of 4th and Franklin. Named because it is small. As you look out on the bueatiful Mississippi you will see a set of islands. From the wright are the island of Moor Bar, to its left is Willow Bar, then Fetter, then Baby Rush, followed by Big Rush, then Yellow Lake and finally OConnel Island

13

Corner Of Franklin and 4th

As we turn off Franklin onto North 4th Street we see beautiful Italianate ahead of us.

14

1016 North Fourth Eisfeld house

This is a Victorian Stick style house. These houses had steeply pitched roofs, decorative trusses, wood siding and cross gables. Leon Eisfeld lived here in 1899. He was part owner of a wholesale clothing business. The current owner was one of the first female Secretary of States in Iowa.

15

1017 North 4th Mrs T.J. Potter House 1898

This home is a beautiful example of an Italianate. Theses home had two or three stories. Low pitched roofs. They have wide overhangs with decorative brackets, tall and narrow windows, commonly arched or curved at the top. Windows usually has very decorative an elaborate crowns over the windows. A square cupola or tower is on the roof. At one time Mrs T. J. Potter lived here in 1888. Mr. Potter was General Manager of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1883. He was nominated as a running mate for Vice President with Grover Cleveland. This was a home for large private entertaining.​

16

300 Iowa River View Colonial House

Built by F.W. Chamberlin. He was General Manger for the “Opera House” and owned shares in 22 other Playhouses in the Iowa - Illinois region. This is a Colonial Georgian. A popular design in 1700 to 1780 in the original colonies. They have a lot of symmetry. Front door was in lower middle of the house with equal number of windows on either side of front door. This is a center gabled house. It was built with hand hewn bricks that came from a local brick company. They are extremely hard. Georgians were a dominate style of the English Colonists. ​

17

1119 North 4th Street - English Tudor

This is an English Tudor. It is decorated in the half-timber style. The half-timber style was to mimic medieval infilled timber framing. Windows are typically casement wood or metal. Windows are frequently grouped in sets of three. It is influenced by 16th century English architectural styling. Some of these houses had thatched roofs. This house has remained in the same family for over three generations.​

18

Chamberline's Pointe overlooking Bluff Harbor Marina

This overlook Point was named for Chamberlin a lifelong manager of the “Grand Opera House”. Chamberlin lived on North 4th street in the Late 1800's This point overlooks Bluff Harbor Marina The only full-service marina in Pool 19, the largest pool on the Mississippi. On the riverfront in Burlington Iowa. They sell Excel, Lowe and Avalon boats, as well as used boats, MudBuddy, and Mercury motors.​​

19

410 North Street E .D. Runge House 1893

This is a Colonial Revival House. The entrance to the house has a curved header over the front door. This house was built by E. D. Runge manufacturer of Confections and dealer for fruits, nuts and fishing equipment in the late 1800’s. F.E. Runge one of the sons had a fresh fish and Oysters shop on 207-209 Nrth Front Street in 1899.​

20

414 North Street James Jordan house

This is a Half Timber Tudor Home. It was home to the Rundoff family that were primarily Grocers.​

21

418 North Street C. G. Pauly House

This is a Queen Anne style home. It has single shake covering with dental molding and decorative brackets. It was built by C. G. Pauly. He was the proprietor of a high end restaurant on main street in late 1800's.

22

Turn onto Nrth 5th Street from North Street

AS we turn from North onto 5th street we see straight ahead on North a Bed and Breakfast called the "Squirrels Nest".

23

1022 North 5th General James Guest House

On Driver side 1022 North 5th s is a Romanesque Revival house built in 1889. It was built by General Guest. His business after the civil war was a Piano Store on Main Street. At its time this house was considered the cultural center of Burlington. Many recitals were held here.​

24

1015 North 5th Street Nueman House

On the door side, (Italianate or Steamboat gothic home) what you might see in Charleston in the south on the door side. Brick house with pink window Brick Belvedere on the top of the home. . Nueman House. First Judge in IOWA.

25

1001 North 5th Street I.C. McConnell Limestone House

This house was built by IC McConnell a wholesaler of Saddlery goods The limestone used in the house was quarried from the hill it was built on. .

26

907- 909 North 5th Eisfeld houses.

On the door side, 907-909 North 5th. Eisfeld Homes. Wholesale Distributor of mens clothes. Brick Italianate homes. With Beautiful pillars on the porch.

28

5th & Spring South West Corner

This is a Gothic Revival House. Built from 1840 to !880's. Steep pitched roofs with cross gable's.Gables commonly decorated with vergeboards. In 1899 John Lahee lived here. The Lahee brothers had an Insurance and Real-Estate business at Washington and 3rd.​

29

800 Nrth 5th Street James Moirs House

Built by Robert Moirs son James in 1905. This is a 13 room house complete with a 3rd floor ballroom. The Moirs built a business empire in distilling, banking, loans, lumber, general merchandise, logging and milling. They also owned the business Mississippi Pearl Button Co.​

30

Christ Episcopal Church 5th & High

On the door side Christ Episcopal Church, founded 1838) It is located at the corner of 5th & High Street. It is build with local limestone. Built in a Rubble stone Style reminiscent of old Scottish or English construction. It was burnt in the late 1960’s and only one Tiffany window survived the fire. ​​

31

621 North 5th Parsonage Christ Episcopal Church

On the door side is 621 North 5th - Obadiah Schenk, along with Lewis Dalhoff, were partners in the pork packing business. This two-story brick home is an example of an early Italian style with a hip roof, paired eave brackets, off-center doorway and stone lintels. The classic doorway with transom and sidelights is covered by a curved top canopy supported by curved brackets. On the South side or pair of arched doorways in the center of the home which leads to the side yard. An attic dormer has been added to the north side as well as a chimney. Stone steps lead from the East entry to the yard. On the northeast corner, a second set of stone steps leads from the yard through the limestone retaining wall to the sidewalk. Originally built as a private home, it was used for a time as rector of the Episcopal Church next door.​

32

613 North 5th Kratz House

On the door side 613 North Fifth circa 1863. is the Kratz house, Isabel Madison Kratz and Dr. Delbert John “Doc” Kratz who made their home on North 5th Street Delbert was a Dentist in Burlington.This house exhibits Second Empire features in the fish scale shingled mans-ford roof on the east façade, tall narrow paired windows, and heavy window hoods and surrounds. The porch across the eastern façade is a later addition.

33

607 North 5th St.Hedge Hill Home

On the door side Hedge Hill Home. Where all the social events occurred the late 1800’s. The architecture is Georgian. The two lots this house sit's on were bought for $10 in 1841. The house was built in 1859. Thomas Hedge opened a General store in Burlington in 1843. He became a Lumberman in 1865. Following the death of Thomas Hedge his daughter Anna B. Hedge inherited the property. She married Charles P. Squires in her house.. Mr Squires was part of a drug wholesaling dynasty. During the Gay 90's this house was the center of Burlington social life. Their Sunday night dinners were famous and attendance was considered to be prestiges.

34

Moir Hall

Robert Moir 1824 – 1901, Conducted a distilling business and extended his operations to banking, merchandising, logging and milling. Mr. Moir became one of the most prominent figures in the financial circles of the Middle West.The Moir Hall is a 3 story Georgian Revival house built in Flemish brick bond. The main portion of the house is rectangular with wings extending to the west and south. Other features include multiple hip roofs, maudlin bricks, corner quoins, and a stone string course between the second and third floors. The majority of the windows have stone lintels in an ornate 3 part variation of a jack arch. The front door is surrounded by panels of art glass and there is extensive use of art glass windows throughout the house. The east entry facade is symmetrical with the ornate entryway defined by a slight projection and quoning of the brick which extends to a pediment above the 3rd floor. The east, north, and south sides of the house are surrounded by a wide one story flat roofed verandah supported by massive fine cut stone columns on a limestone block base. There is a carriage porch on the northwest corner which is bordered by ornate cast iron railings, gates and posts. Later on the house was used as a residence for student nurses at Memorial Hospital.

35

521 Court Roads-Gardner House

Roads – Gardner (Absalom Roads 1810 – 1874, Mr. Roads engaged in the mercantile business early in his career later embarking in the real-estate and loan business. E.T. Gardner 1802 – 1881, Mr. Gardner was VP & treasurer of the Gardner & Gould Company, which manufactured candles and confectionary supplies.The house was built in 1854, it has a gentle pitched gable roof with broad “winged’eaves supported by 2 types of eave brackets that is characteristic of the Italian Villa style. It exhibits the Italian Villa “L of T’ shaped plan of intersecting rectangles in an irregular massing. The house is of brick with curved stone lintels. There are 6 over 6 windows with closing shutters and a brick walkway. The front porch has square posts, small eave brackets and a balustrade. The main entry features a double door with fanlight and tracery. There is a one story wood addition that was constructed sometime after 1886. It is on a stone foundation and has eave brackets like those on the main house. An enclosed one story sun porch was added later.. It has a concrete foundation and clapboard siding with wood panel insets around the windows. At the rear of the property is a one story hip roof, frame garage with clapboard siding and a sliding garage door.

36

520 Court Thomas Hedge Jr. House

Thomas Hedge Jr (1844 – 1920, graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., in 1861, Yale College in 1867, and Columbia College Law School, New York City, in 1869; was admitted to the bar in New York in 1869 and commenced practice in Burlington. Served as a private during the Civil War in Company E and as second lieutenant in Company G, One Hundred and Sixth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, in 1864 and 1865; resumed the practice of law in Burlington, Iowa; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-sixth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1899-March 3, 1907)The house was built in 1873 it is a 2 story brick home in an early Italianate style with stone lintels. The main portion of the building is rectangular with an off center doorway, a set back projection on the west side with another entry and a 2 story bay on the east side. The entryway has double doors with transom. Below the hip roof, the large entablature includes paired pendant eave brackets, dentil work and monitor windows in the frieze. The current porch is a small pediment portico supported by 2 narrow columns. The back porch is of the same style. Stone steps led to the sidewalk from the south side main entry through the limestone retaining wall which becomes a free standing garden wall on the west and north sides. The European larch in the east side yard is an old specimen tree dating before the turn of the century.

37

521 6th Street Methodist Parsonage

This house was built to be the Parsonage for the First Methodist Church. This is a two-story, hard brick, Georgian Revival. The facade is symmetrical with a central entry door, transom and side lights. Features include corner quoins, leaded glass windows and oriel windows one on the north and one on the south. A one-story column front porch extends across the entire east facade. There is a one-story back porch with square posts. Stone steps lead down from the front porch through the stone retaining wall, which borders the property on East. This residence is in great condition. At the rear of the property facing Court street is a hip roofed garage.

38

515 North 6th Crapo House

Phillip Crapo (Mr. Crapo 1844 – 1903, a special agent for the Connecticut Mutual life insurance company. In addition to his extensive business interest, Mr. Crapo was actively concerned in local affairs, at one time being the local editor of the Hawk Eye. He was instrumental in obtaining funds to build the 1st bridge across the Mississippi River and became the president of the Burlington & Illinois Bridge Company which secured a charter from Congress authorizing the construction of the bridge.)The 2 story, brick house was built in the 1860’s on a raised limestone foundation is an early Italianate structure. The house features detailed stone lintels on the east side with plain stone lintels on the rest of the house and the transom over the off center double door entry. Most of the numerous, ornate corbelled chimneys have been rebuilt in a plain style. The body of the house is rectangular with set back projections containing entryways on both the north and south sides. The side entryway has been changed to a window. According to photos, the second set back on the south side was added to the house in the same style sometime after 1888. The design of the porches was Italianate, with a balustrade over the square columns and heavy, turned spindles below. The porch on the north side has had the balustrade and columns removed, but the original rail and spindles remain. Original stone steps come from the main entry through the limestone retaining wall, flanked by decorative stone pillars.

39

501 North 6th Baldwin House

William W. Baldwin (1845 – 1936, Mr. Baldwin obtained his law degree from Iowa Law college, and later became the land commissioner for the Chicago, Burlington, Quincy Railroad Company. He served as president of the school board of Burlington for many years and was also a trustee for the public library.The house was built in 1892, this Queen Anne home is a 2 story brick with a multiple gable roof line, slate shingles on the main roof and in the gable ends. The brick used has a smooth texture and fine mortar joints. Window openings are edged with curved, pressed brick that turn into the window frames. Other features include a polygonal dormer, a first floor curved brick bay with pressed brick. Slate shingles overhangs the first floor and extends into the gable. The use of croisette (cross) and other transomed windows on the first floor shows some influence from the‘chateauesque style, as does the use of slate, the nigh pitched roof, and the curved brick which enhances the massive character. Originally the house featured a semi—circular porch with turned spindles which extended across the east facade from the entry south, a smaller second floor balcony above it, a porch in the southwest corner also with spindles, and a back porch. In 1971 the front and back porches were removed; the second floor balcony was simplified and retained with a small entry porch beneath it. 'The porch on the southwest corner is now enclosed. A low limestone retaining wall surrounds the half block and is interrupted here for east and south side entrance steps and iron gates. The location of the east side steps was changed at some early date. An 1896 photo of the Baldwin home shows the east side steps still in their original location.

40

Snake Alley Columbia & 6th

Ripley's Believe It or Not calls Snake Alley the "Crookedest Street in the World." Perhaps Burlington's most famous landmark, Snake Alley is located between Columbia and Washington Streets North 6th Street and consists of five half-curves and two quarter-curves. The street is reminiscent of vineyard paths in France and Germany.The alley is composed of limestone and blue clay bricks. The constantly changing slant from one curve to the next necessitated a complicated construction technique to keep the high grade to the outside. Snake Alley curves over a distance of 275 feet (83.8 m), rising 58.3 ft (17.8 m), a 21% grade, from Washington Street to Columbia Street.The street is the site of an annual uphill bike race, the Snake Alley Criterium, held each Memorial Day weekend.The Snake Alley Art Fair, sponsored by the Art Guild of Burlington, is held annually on Father's Day.Snake Alley is maintained by Burlington Parks Department.