Clark–Blackwell House Explained

Clark–Blackwell House
Nrhp Type:indcp
Nocat:yes
Partof Refnum:06000423[1]
Coordinates:41.4169°N -91.0533°W
Area:less than one acre
Built:1882
Architect:Lorenzo D. Cleveland
Added:January 27, 1983
Refnum:83000396[2]

The Clark–Blackwell House is an historic residence located in Muscatine, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983. The house was included as a contributing property in the West Hill Historic District in 2008.

History

The property on which the house sits was purchased by William A. Clark, a Muscatine real estate and loan broker, in 1871. He lived in the house that had been built there previously until this house was completed in 1882.[3] It was designed by Chicago architect Lorenzo D. Cleveland and built by George D. Magoon, a local contractor. Clark continued to live in the house at least until 1886. By 1889 he had relocated to New York City. John Scott Blackwell was another local real estate agent who lived in the house from 1902 until his death in 1930. His wife continued to live here until 1943. Harry F. Bowsman, a local businessman, lived here from 1946 to 1963. His wife continued to live in the house after his death.

Architecture

The Victorian eclectic style house is located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Its exterior ornamentation incorporates multiple stylistic elements, and is composed of Baltimore pressed brick that was laid in a running bond. It features red granite columns with limestone capitals that flank the main entrance, limestone window sills and lintels, a tin and limestone cornice, and a slate hip roof. Towers project from the east and west corners. The west corner tower is capped with a pyramidal roof and the east corner tower is capped with a hexagonal turret roof.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rebecca Lawin McCarley. Downtown Commercial Historic District. National Park Service. 2015-11-14.
  2. Web site: National Register Information System. 2009-03-13. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  3. Web site: James E. Jacobsen. Clark–Blackwell House. National Park Service. 2015-11-09.