iowa site inventory form documentation of the …

IOWA SITE INVENTORY FORM DOCUMENTATION OF THE WINNESHIEK COUNTY POORHOUSE,

A.K.A. NORTH BUILDING, DECORAH TOWNSHIP,

WINNESHIEK COUNTY, IOWA

Section 14, T98N, R8W

Special Report 4

Prepared for Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission

Courthouse Annex 204 West Broadway Decorah, Iowa 52101

Prepared by Branden K. Scott

(Principal Investigator) and

Lloyd Bolz (Structural Drawings)

Bear Creek Archeology, Inc. P.O. Box 347

Cresco, Iowa 52136 David G. Stanley, Director

October 2013

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Prior to destruction of the Winneshiek County Poor Farm (a.k.a. North Building; 96-00658), Bear Creek Archeology, Inc. personnel and Lloyd Bolz documented the structure to produce an updated Iowa Site Inventory Form. This investigation was conducted on behalf of the Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission, Decorah, Iowa. The field investigation was conducted on April 1, 2013. The building was removed April 15, 2013. To complete the form, background research was accomplished utilizing records held at the Winneshiek County Historical Society, historic maps, previous books/articles concerning poor farms, and earlier research conducted for the Caretaker’s House mitigation project. In coordination with archival research, a field investigation was made to document the building’s interior and exterior. Documentation consisted of photographing the property, gathering detailed notes, and measuring the building to create architectural drawings. Multiple individuals aided in preparing this form. Lloyd Bolz produced the planview diagrams and 3D drawings of the building. From Bear Creek Archeology, Derek Lee produced the graphics, Patricia Halvorson edited the form, and David G. Stanley offered useful comments. The people of the Winneshiek County Historical Society, particularly Midge Kjome, Angie Reynolds, and Joyce Bullerman provided useful information for the development of a Winneshiek County Poor Farm historic context, with much of the information being used in this form. The Winneshiek County Auditor’s office provided county records information. As always, any omissions or errors presented herein are the sole responsibility of the author.

Site Inventory Form State Inventory No. 96-00659 New Supplemental State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.) 96-00658 (November 2005) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries National Register Status: (any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE 9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance (R&C) Number Non-Extant (enter year) 1. Name of Property historic name Winneshiek County Poor House other names/site number Dormitory; North Building 2. Location street & number 2479 River Road city or town Decorah vicinity, county Winneshiek Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter Decorah 98N 8W 14 SE SE (If Urban) Subdivision Block(s) 29 Fannon Addition Lot(s) 1–4 3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section] 4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section] 5. Classification Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of: district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing site 1 buildings buildings structure sites sites object structures structures objects objects 1 Total Total Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination). Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number N/A N/A 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) 01E03 Poor House 99 Other: Destroyed 11C02 Rest Home 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions) 05 Late Victorian foundation 04C: Limestone; 10 Concrete 09D02 Gable Roof walls 06 Stucco 99 Mixed roof 08A Asphalt Shingle other Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED) 8. Statement of Significance Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)

Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events. Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons. Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics. Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.

County Winneshiek Address 2479 River Road Site Number 96-00659 City Decorah District Number 96-00658 Criteria Considerations A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure. for religious purposes. F A commemorative property. B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past C A birthplace or grave. 50 years. D A cemetery Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates Construction date 1866 check if circa or estimated date Other dates 1976-Additions to Wellington Place care facility Significant Person Architect/Builder (Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect Builder Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED) 9. Major Bibliographical References Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form 10. Geographic Data UTM References (OPTIONAL) Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing 1 2 3 4 See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments 11. Form Prepared By

name/title Branden K. Scott

organization Bear Creek Archeology, Inc. date May 28, 2013

street & number P.O. Box 347 telephone 563-547-4545

city or town Cresco state IA zip code 52136

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form) FOR ALL PROPERTIES 1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township. 2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s). 3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be

curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:

Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken

See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries. Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file. FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL 1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or noncontributing status) 2. Barn: a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn. b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side. c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district. Comments: Evaluated by (name/title): Date:

Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 96-00659

Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number 96-00658

Continuation Sheet Page 1 Winneshiek County Poor House Winneshiek Name of Property County 2479 River Road Decorah Address City Winneshiek County Poor Farm’s (96-00658) last remaining structure was destroyed on April 15, 2013. Winneshiek County Poor House, also known as the North Building, was documented on April 1, 2013, prior to destruction (Figures 1 and 2). This inventory form offers a more thorough documentation than what was contained on the original site inventory form (96-00659), which was completed during mitigation of the Caretaker’s House (Scott et al. 2012). Past investigations focused only on exterior treatments. Updates were made to reflect knowledge gained from the interior. Scott et al. (2012) developed a historic context for this property, focusing primarily on national and state trends for poor farm and asylum development because there was little information concerning Winneshiek County Poor Farm development. Records held at the county courthouse were generally incomplete, a result of an Auditor’s Office “house-cleaning” in the early to mid-twentieth century. What was available to Scott et al. (2012) is presented below. Prior to poor farm establishment, Winneshiek County had a committee on the poor (Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors 1866:Book A). From county records, it appears that this committee dealt mostly with soldier’s families, gave out clothing and money allotments, and sent people to a state-sponsored asylum when petitioned. In June or July of 1866, the Board of Supervisors granted permission to purchase the Hubbell Farm in Section 28, T97N, R7W, which included a one and one-half story house and a two-story granary (Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors 1866: Book A, 294, 298). This purchase never materialized. In October of 1866, the Board of Supervisors took bids on area farms, with C. E. Dickerman’s farm near Freeport being selected for $4,000 (Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors 1866:Book A, 336). Between June 1, 1910 and January 1, 1911, the poor farm had 22 patients and C. A. Funk served as facility steward (Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors 1911:Book G, 19). Between January 1 and June 1, 1912, 23 patients resided at this facility and between June 1 and December 31, 1912, there were 24 patients (Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors 1912:Book G, 52, 163). In January of 1913, P. H. Whalan became overseer of the poor and Dr. Thomas became the facility physician (Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors 1913:Book G, 104–105). In 1915, a new steward’s house was erected (Caretaker’s House). Plat maps and historic photographs depict this property’s development. In 1875, the first plat occurs, but this location was approximately 1.3 km (.8 mi) west of its actual location (Andreas 1875). In 1886, the platted location is correct but no structures are documented (Warner and Foote 1886). In 1905, three structures occur (poor house, steward’s house, and unknown structure; Anderson and Goodwin Company 1905). In 1915, only one structure was detailed (Webb Publishing Company 1915). Sanborn Fire Insurance maps (1894, 1902, 1914; Figures 3–5) depict layouts of the property and poorhouse. According to these maps, this property had 10 structures in 1894. The poorhouse was recorded as having a centralized hallway, two fire exits, and a water tank. In 1902, a windmill was added near the northwest corner. This facility was lit by coal and oil lamps. In 1914, an additional water tank was added. Also in 1914, a coal-burning boiler was present and electricity was installed. While there are few newspaper articles concerning this property, those available can offer some perspective on the farm during its operation. This poor farm opened December 20, 1866 (Decorah Republican 1866). In an article from August 17, 1894, it was related that a man injured while jumping a ride on a freight train was transported and treated at the poorhouse (Decorah Republican 1894). In October of 1901, a Grand Jury made a visit and found the property neat and tidy with inmates well cared for (Decorah Public Opinion 1901). In June of 1915, a new law required separation of people with tuberculosis from other people in the care or hospitals and other care facilities. Patients were moved from the poorhouse and asylum into the original Steward’s House and a new Caretaker’s House was erected (Decorah Republican 1915). In March of 1924, an updated power water system was added, eliminating the need for elevated water tanks (Decorah Republican 1924). Various articles from the 1960s and 1970s concern themselves mostly with facility entertainment. In 1966, rooms were painted in pastels and whites and there were two to three beds per room (Decorah Journal 1966). The building was attached to the current care facility in 1976 and this poorhouse/care facility was abandoned for use as a care facility in 1988. Only one original structure from the 1866 poor farm remained at this location before April 15, 2013. The poorhouse (a.k.a. North Building) was located north and east of Wellington Place nursing home (Figures 2 and 6–9). This poorhouse was once attached to the modern nursing home by a steel addition prior to deconstruction. This two-story building was erected



Continuation Sheet Page 2 Winneshiek County Poor House Winneshiek Name of Property County 2479 River Road Decorah Address City on a limestone foundation coated with concrete. Some basement window wells were filled with cinderblocks. This building had a footprint of 297.3 m2 (3,200 ft2) and a basement of equal size. The exterior was stucco over soft brick laid in a stretcher-bond pattern, with some embossing near the cornice, giving an almost Italianate appearance. Based on historic photos, embossing on the east and west sides was completed with brick and later covered with stucco. One north-side door was bricked over. There was a gabled roof covered with asphalt shingles. Newer exterior staircases were present on both east and west sides of the building. Windows on the first and second floors were double-hung with one over one lights, and they were much taller than wide. Windowsills were wood, but each window had an arched lintel. Round rose windows were present on both the east and west sides. This detail occurs frequently (in varying sizes) on other Victorian structures. While there was some decorative detail, the exterior generally conformed to ideas of poorhouse construction, mainly that the exterior not exude extravagance or be a monument to county officials responsible for construction (Johnson 1911). This building had ample lighting through highly ordered fenestration. During structure removal, it appeared that only two brick courses laid side-by-side were used to construct these exterior walls, that is, they were remarkably thin given the building size. The first floor had a central hallway (77’ 8” in length x 7’ in width) with rooms to both the north and south (Figures 10 and 11). This open floor plan concept was typically used in asylums (Scull 1980), but it would have also been an economical means of poorhouse construction. The interior was redesigned multiple times, eliminating dormitory-style living with shared patient rooms. These remodeling episodes could be seen throughout by frequent floor patchwork. The first-floor interior was remodeled for use as a residential care facility with updates reflecting the 1960s onward. In addition to redesign of patient rooms, the building included an updated nurse’s station, fire-retardant doors and walls, call lights, a sprinkler system, marble pattern terrazzo flooring, wood hand railings, and vinyl baseboards. Very little of the first floor adhered to original building designs or even designs greater than 50 years of age. The north side of the first floor had six rooms, a storage addition off one patient room, and second floor/basement stairwells (Figure 10). A small bathroom was present on the northeast. This bathroom measured approximately 4’ 5” x 5’ and contained a small cast iron tub. White ceramic tile extended halfway up the walls and there was a window positioned only along the east wall. Room #2 occurred west and north of the bathroom. This room was irregularly shaped, with maximum dimensions of 15’ 1” x 14’ 9” (as shown on the diagrams, this building is no longer square. The west side of the building is an inch wider than the east side). This room had a small closet. Room #2 had two windows, one on each the east and north walls. Room #3 occurred west of Room #2. Room #3 measured 15’ 6” x 14’ 9”. A small closet was positioned in the southeast corner. This room was lit by two north-facing windows. Room #4 was the smallest first-floor patient room and it measured 13’ 6” x 14’ 9” (Figure 12). This room did not have a closet. Only one window was present on the north wall. A stairwell occurred between Room #4 and a larger communal bathroom. Each of the two staircases in the stairwell measure 3’ 11” in width. The ascending stairs had a terrazzo finish while the basement stairs were wood. The communal bathroom measured 8’ 1” x 14’ 9”. A porcelain tub was present. The room also contained a sink, a toilet, and a urinal. All of these plumbing fixtures were confined to the west wall. This room was lit by one north-facing window and it had a floor covered with tile linoleum and ceramic tile extended halfway up the walls. Room #5 measured an irregular 19’ 7” x 14’ 10” with a tile linoleum floor. Room #5 was irregular because there was a bathroom in the northeast corner. This was the only patient room with its own bathroom. This bathroom measured 4’ 5” x 5’ and had a toilet and sink. Room #5 was lit by one north-facing window. This room did not have a closet. West of Room #5 was an addition that measured 8’ x 13’ 10”. This addition appeared to have been used for storage. This storage/addition area had three windows, one on the north wall, and two facing westward. This addition/storage room had a concrete floor. Ten rooms were positioned on the main corridor’s south side (Figure 10). The common room (southwest building corner) measured approximately 27’ 3” x 14’ 10” (Figure 13). Even though this room was rather large, it had only one west-facing window with a measured width of 6’ 1”. Floor coverings in this room consisted of linoleum. This common room had an air conditioner with ceiling fans for circulation and a television stand in the southeast corner. Moving east, a reception area existed. This reception area was 13’ 5” in length x 7’ 9” in width. There were two south wall exits. Positioned near the nurse’s station was a water fountain. A bathroom occurred east of the reception area. This bathroom measured 4’ x 7’ 9” and contained a sink and a toilet. A nurse’s station (Figure 14) was positioned north of the reception area, forcing visitors to



Continuation Sheet Page 3 Winneshiek County Poor House Winneshiek Name of Property County 2479 River Road Decorah Address City pass by the nurses upon entry. This nurse’s station had window openings on the north, west, and south walls. The nurse’s station measured 6’ 3” x 7’ and had Formica work counters. Call buttons were still present. Openings in the nurse’s station ceiling that showed internal framing indicated this room was not original and it was constructed by reusing existing materials and tying them into new construction (Figure 15). This was most evident on the room’s south side. A small office that measured 5’ 2” x 7’ was attached to the nurse’s station. Moving east, a break room occurred and it had one south facing window. A sink was present in the southwest corner. This break room measured an irregular 11’ 2” x 14’ 9”. A removed drop ceiling exposed mixed PVC, iron, and copper plumbing. This drop ceiling covered a plaster and lath ceiling coated with lead paint. Heating ductwork was stainless steel. The hallway’s original ceiling was visible from this room and it appeared that there were areas of hallway ceiling covered with tin (Figure 16). There was also a storage room (accessed from the hallway) that measured approximately 4’ x 3’. A housekeeping room was positioned east of the storage and break rooms and it measured an irregular 8’ 4” x 5’ 8”. This room had a modern sink and cabinet on the west wall and a basin for mops with a drain at the southeast corner. This room had a drop ceiling. Because of a housekeeping room and a bathroom, Room #1 (Figure 17) was shaped like a “T”. The maximum dimensions of this space were 20’ 4” x 14’ 9”. A small closet was positioned along the south wall. This room had two south-facing windows and one east-facing window. A bathroom occurred north of Room #1. This bathroom had a sink and a toilet oriented along the south wall. This bathroom measured 5’ 6” x 4‘ 5” and had an east-facing window. The first floor was reorganized to allow reasonable space for residents, centrally located restrooms, and a flow that allowed staff the ability to move around efficiently. All patient rooms, storage rooms, and housekeeping facilities were accessible from the central hallway. Exits were positioned on the east, west, and south sides to allow for speedy evacuation. The nurse’s station location allowed for tight control of people entering and exiting. Differences in ceiling heights were present throughout, with patient rooms having 1’ 6” lower clearance than the hallway. This suggested that ceilings had been lowered to cover updated heating, plumbing, and electrical services. There were eight patient rooms, two bathrooms, and a housekeeping closet on the second floor (Figure 18). A central hallway provided access to all of these rooms (Figure 19). This central hallway had similar measures as the first floor. Room #22 (Figure 20) was the smallest patient room and measured 11’ 1” x 14’ 9”. A closet was positioned on the west wall and two windows (north and east walls) provided light. Room #24 measured 19’ 9” x 14’ 9”. Two north-facing windows occurred. A closet occupied the northeast corner in Room #24. Room #26 was about 14’ 6” in length and 14’ 9” in width, with an irregular design. This room had a single north-facing window to provide natural light. A small closet occurred in the west part of Room #26. West of Room #26 was a stairwell, attic access, and small atrium. This atrium had one north-facing window. A bathroom was positioned west of this atrium. This bathroom had two urinals, a toilet, a shower stall, and a sink. Most fixtures occupied the west wall. The bathroom had one north window, and the room measured 8’ x 14’ 9”. Room #28 (Figure 21) measured 15’ 4” x 14’ 10”. There was one window facing north and one window facing west in the room. This room had a small closet in the southeast corner. The facility’s south side was almost entirely devoted to patient rooms (Figure 18). Room #27 (Figure 22) measured 16’ 10” x 14’ 10”. This room had two windows positioned on the west and south walls. A closet occurred on the east wall. Room #25 was smaller, measuring 13’ 10” x 14’ 9”, it was lit by two south-facing windows, and there was a small west wall closet. Room #23 (Figure 23) was larger, measuring 18’ 6” x 14’ 9”. This room had two south-facing windows and an east wall closet. Room #21 was lit by a south and an east-facing window, and it measured 16’ 8” x 14’ 9” with a small closet in the northwest corner. Separating Rooms #23 and #21 was a bathroom and housekeeping closet. The bathroom had a width of 9’ 10” and included a toilet, a urinal, a bathtub, and two sinks set in a Formica vanity. Designers of this building created near mirror images of the first and second floors, absent a second floor nurse’s station. The second floor layout was designed around a central corridor, allowing easy access to patient rooms and quick evacuation if needed. Terrazzo floors were present throughout as well as incandescent lighting and radiant heating. Handrails were present along the hallway. As exits, two stairwells were constructed on the corridor’s east and west sides (Figure 24). These stairs were made of wood and enclosed by corrugated fiberglass panels. Due to renovations, second floor designs reflected a period less than 50 years of age.



Continuation Sheet Page 4 Winneshiek County Poor House Winneshiek Name of Property County 2479 River Road Decorah Address City The attic was accessed by a small stairwell off the second floor atrium. This attic consisted of a very large, open space (Figure 25). Rafters were filled with cellulose insulation, making rafters difficult to walk across safely. Rafters were set 36” on center. The gable roof was reinforced with collar ties, purlins, and struts (Figure 26). Two collar ties were placed at each roof joist. These elements were tied with board sheathing. In turn, asphalt shingles covered the board sheathing. A ridge vent was used for attic ventilation. As with the first and second floors, a central hallway extended the basement’s length (Figure 27). This central hallway was 80’ 3” in length and 5’ 10” in width. This hallway had two abandoned entrances orientated on the east and west sides. There were four rooms, two large refrigerators, and a storage area underneath a first floor addition/storage room. In the northwest room, a sump pump hole was present (Figure 28). This room contained a variety of plumbing of various ages. There were Kinetico water softeners, a State Vulcraft water heater, an updated electrical service, and radiant heat. The basement floor was poured concrete. Stairs that descended to the basement were not original, as evidenced by newer lumber and nails. This room had a north-facing window well. The room measured 26’ 7” x 13’ 8”, with an elevated area underneath a first floor addition/storage area along the west wall. The southwest room measured 9’ 6” x 13’ 7”. There were no windows in this room. A very large room was present on the basement’s south side (Figure 29). This room measured approximately 70’ 9” x 13’ 7” and had an abandoned door opening near the southwest corner. Additionally, there were three abandoned window wells, two facing south and one facing east. Two, large cold storage units/refrigerators occurred near the room’s center. These refrigerators had widths of 7’ 10”. One refrigerator was 8’ 2” in length and the other was 8’ in length. The refrigerator door’s Frigidaire logo was commonly used during the 1920s. Four doorways opened into the large south room. Moving across the hallway, another large room occurred. This room had two abandoned window wells, one facing north and one facing east. This room measured 48’ 11” x 13’ 8”. This room was once part of the northwest room, but a more modern wall covered with drywall was erected, separating these spaces. With the poorhouse/North Building’s demise, there are no longer any original structures at this poor farm property. This building was used for many purposes; first as a poorhouse, then as a care facility for elderly Winneshiek County residents, and finally as a storage area for Wellington Place care facility. This continued usage led to alterations and updates over time, with interior conditions in 2013 reflecting 1960s–1970s treatments. The exterior maintained its original design, with stucco used as a brick covering. This building had a simple, highly ordered design, few artistic details, and an abundance of economic construction materials. For over 120 years, this building operated as a means for country residents to care for local poor, disabled, mentally ill, and elderly peoples. This building stood empty as a reminder of these activities for an additional 20 years. This building was founded by early poor law legislation and local involvement and it operated through to the Medicare/Medicaid era. Additional information pertaining to this building and district is available through the Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission, Winneshiek County Historical Society, and Scott et al. (2012). Additional photographs are available through the Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission. References Cited: Anderson and Goodwin Company 1905 Standard Atlas of Winneshiek County, Iowa. Anderson and Goodwin Company, Davenport, Iowa. Andreas, Alfred T. 1875 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa. Andreas Atlas Company, Chicago. Decorah Journal 1966 Anniversary Draws Many to Visit Home. Decorah Journal, May 26, 1966. Decorah Public Opinion 1901 The Poor Farm All Right. Decorah Public Opinion, October 10, 1901.



Continuation Sheet Page 5 Winneshiek County Poor House Winneshiek Name of Property County 2479 River Road Decorah Address City Decorah Republican 1866 Untitled article marking the opening of the county farm. Decorah Republican, December 20, 1866. 1894 Unnamed article concerning man sent to county farm. Decorah Republican, August 17, 1894. 1915 Improvement at Poor Farm. Decorah Republican, June 17, 1915. 1924 Improvement at Poor Farm. Decorah Republican, March 19, 1924. Johnson, Alexander 1911 The Almshouse: Construction and Management. Charities Publication Committee, Russell Sage

Foundation, New York. Sanborn Company 1894 Decorah, Iowa. Sanborn Company, New York. On file, State Historical Society Library, Des Moines,

Iowa. 1902 Decorah, Iowa. Sanborn Company, New York. On file, State Historical Society Library, Des Moines,

Iowa. 1914 Decorah, Iowa. Sanborn Company, New York. On file, State Historical Society Library, Des Moines,

Iowa. Scott, Branden K., Lloyd Bolz, Derek V. Lee, and David G. Stanley 2012 An Architectural and Historical Analysis of the Caretaker’s House at the Winneshiek County Poor Farm,

Decorah Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa. BCA Special Report 1. Bear Creek Archeology, Inc., Cresco, Iowa. Scull, Andrew 1980 The Architecture of the Victorian Lunatic Asylum. In Buildings and Society: Essays on the Social Development

of the Built Environment, edited by Anthony D. King. Routledge and Kegan Paul, London. Warner, George A., and C. M. Foote 1886 Plat Book of Winneshiek County, Iowa. Warner and Foote, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Webb Publishing Company 1915 Atlas and Farm Directory, Township Plats of Winneshiek County, Iowa. Webb Publishing Company, St. Paul,

Minnesota. Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors 1866 Supervisor’s Minutes. On file, Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office, Decorah, Iowa. 1911 Supervisor’s Minutes. On file, Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office, Decorah, Iowa. 1912 Supervisor’s Minutes. On file, Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office, Decorah, Iowa. 1913 Supervisor’s Minutes. On file, Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office, Decorah, Iowa.

Iowa Site Inventory FormContinuation Sheet

Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number

Related District Number

Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah

Winneshiek County Poor House

2479 River Road

6

USGS 7.5' QuadFreeport, IA (1981)

T98N, R8W

-Winneshiek County Poor Farm

0

0

610 m

2000 ft

1:24000

Figure 1. Topographic coverage of the Winneshiek County Poor Farm (96-00658).

Winneshiek County Poor Farm (96-00658)

Poor House (96-00659, Non-Extant)





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

7

-Winneshiek County Poor Farm

0

0

61 m

200 ft

1:2400

RIV

ER

RD

RIV

ER

RD

Shelter

Shed 2

Shed 1

Figure 2. Scale map of the Winneshiek County Poor Farm (96-00658).

Winneshiek County Poor Farm (96-00658)

Caretaker's House (96-00644, Non-Extant)

Poor House(96-00659, Non-Extant)

Wellington Place (96-00660)





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

8

Figure 3. 1894 fire insurance map of the Winneshiek CountyPoor Farm (Sanborn Company).

0

0

30.5 m

100 ft

1:1200





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

9


0

0

30.5 m

100 ft

1:1200





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

10


0

0

30.5 m

100 ft

1:1200

Figure 6. West side of the Winneshiek County Poor House. View to theeast (4/1/13).

Figure 7. North side of the Winneshiek County Poor House. View to thesouth (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

11

Figure 8. East side of the Winneshiek County Poor House. View to thewest (4/1/13).

Figure 9. South side of the Winneshiek County Poor House. View to thenorthwest. (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

12





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

13

Fig

ure

10

. P

lan

of

the

firs

t fl

oor

(co

urt

esy

of

Llo

yd B

olz)

.

Figure 11. First floor hallway. View to the east (4/1/13).

Figure 12. Room #4 on the first floor. View to the north (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

14

Figure 13. First floor common room. View to the east (4/1/13).

Figure 14. First floor nurse’s station. View to the south (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

15

Figure 15. Framing in the first floor nurse’s station. View to thesouth (4/1/13).

Figure 16. Tin ceiling in hallway as viewed from the first floor break room.View to the north (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

16

Figure 17. Room #1 on the first floor. View to the east (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

17





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

18

Fig

ure

18

. P

lan

of

the

seco

nd

flo

or

(cou

rtes

y o

f L

loy

d B

olz

).

Figure 19. Second floor hallway. View to the east (4/1/13).

Figure 20. Room #22 on the second floor. View to the northeast (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

19

Figure 21. Room #28 on the second floor. View to the south (4/1/13).

Figure 22. Room #27 on the second floor. View to the east (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

20

Figure 23. Room #23 on the second floor. View to the east (4/1/13).

Figure 24. East staircase addition. View to the north (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

21

Figure 25. Photograph of the Attic. View to the east (4/1/13).

Figure 26. Roof framing in the attic. View to the west (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

22





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

23

Fig

ure

27

. P

lan

of

the

ba

sem

ent

(cou

rtes

y o

f L

loy

d B

olz

).

Figure 28. Northwest room in the basement. View to the west (4/1/13).

Figure 29. Southeast room in the basement. View to the west (4/1/13).





Page

Name of Property

Address

County

City

96-00659

96-00658

Winneshiek

Decorah


2479 River Road

24

APPENDIX A 3D Renderings of the Winneshiek County Poor House

Basement of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the northwest corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

Basement of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the southwest corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

First floor of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the northwest corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

First floor of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the southeast corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

Second floor of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the northwest corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

Second floor of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the southwest corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

Basement, first floor, and second floor of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the northwest corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

Basement, first floor, and second floor of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the southeast corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

Exterior of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the northwest corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

Exterior of the Winneshiek County Poor House viewed from the southeast corner (courtesy of Lloyd Bolz).

iowa site inventory form documentation of the …

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