16 Bentonsport
Academy – The academy was established in 1851 by a private
group at the cost of $3,000. There is a hint of Georgian style in the
square brick building, the small paned windows, the lintel, and the
door. At one time there was a belfry. The school was in use until 1951.
It is a private residence. |
|
17 James A. Brown
House – This large two-story brick home was built as a
family residence in 1853 by James A. Brown, a prominent citizen and the
town's pioneer miller. The home is a Georgian Federal style of
architecture, and although it is quite large, with 12 foot ceilings, it
contains only 8 major rooms. It is currently a private residence. |
|
18 Bigelow
House
– The front half of the house was built around the 1850s and has
an 11 foot ceiling. The back half was added in the 1880s. The railroad
line stopped here for a mail pick up. The Gothic gable window in the
second story is a most unusual feature of the house. It is a private
residence, but the upstairs apartment is a bed and breakfast. For
more information call 319-592-3152. |
|
19 Odd Fellows
Hall – Built in the 1840s, this was at one time a furniture
factory and store. The upper floor was the hall used by one of Iowa's
first Odd Fellows chapters. Performances by traveling players were
sometimes given in this building, and it also served as a dance hall.
The lower floor now houses The Fiber Arts Studio where hand woven rugs
and runners are made. The building is owned by the Van Buren County
Conservation Board. |
|
20 Old
Blacksmith Shop – This shop was built in the early 1850s
and produced ironwork for the early pioneers of Bentonsport. Operated by
Moses Springton for many years, it sat in disrepair until the early
1970s when it was extensively renovated and repaired. It was used as a
blacksmith shop until early 1987. It is currently not in use. |
|
21 Joseph
Montgomery House – This building was the home of an early
physician and is one of the earliest homes in the town. Built in the
1840s, the house has solid walnut woodwork. In the kitchen a fireplace,
complete with bustle oven, covers one entire wall. The architectural
style is typical of that of the Mormon community in Nauvoo. |
|
22 Julius Greef
House – This two-story brick Georgian style home was built
in part by Julius Greef, the junior partner of the early Bentonsport
firm of "Greef and Pergrin" who operated a general store and
bank. The single story on the north side was constructed in 1848 and the
two-story brick addition was built in 1867. It was occupied by Julius
Greef and his wife, Kate, and their ward, Millie Pergrin, until they
relocated to Kansas in the early 1890s. It is believed that the original
part on the north side was built by Mormon craftsmen on a layover on
their trek to Utah. Certain architectural details can be seen on
original homes built by Mormon craftsmen in Nauvoo, Illinois. It is
currently a private residence. |
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16 Bentonsport
Academy – The academy was established in 1851 by a private
group at the cost of $3,000. There is a hint of Georgian style in the
square brick building, the small paned windows, the lintel, and the
door. At one time there was a belfry. The school was in use until 1951.
It is a private residence.
17 James A. Brown
House – This large two-story brick home was built as a
family residence in 1853 by James A. Brown, a prominent citizen and the
town's pioneer miller. The home is a Georgian Federal style of
architecture, and although it is quite large, with 12 foot ceilings, it
contains only 8 major rooms. It is currently a private residence.
18 Bigelow
House
– The front half of the house was built around the 1850s and has
an 11 foot ceiling. The back half was added in the 1880s. The railroad
line stopped here for a mail pick up. The Gothic gable window in the
second story is a most unusual feature of the house. It is a private
residence, but the upstairs apartment is a bed and breakfast. For
more information call 319-592-3152.
19 Odd Fellows
Hall – Built in the 1840s, this was at one time a furniture
factory and store. The upper floor was the hall used by one of Iowa's
first Odd Fellows chapters. Performances by traveling players were
sometimes given in this building, and it also served as a dance hall.
The lower floor now houses The Fiber Arts Studio where hand woven rugs
and runners are made. The building is owned by the Van Buren County
Conservation Board.
20 Old
Blacksmith Shop – This shop was built in the early 1850s
and produced ironwork for the early pioneers of Bentonsport. Operated by
Moses Springton for many years, it sat in disrepair until the early
1970s when it was extensively renovated and repaired. It was used as a
blacksmith shop until early 1987. It is currently not in use.
21 Joseph
Montgomery House – This building was the home of an early
physician and is one of the earliest homes in the town. Built in the
1840s, the house has solid walnut woodwork. In the kitchen a fireplace,
complete with bustle oven, covers one entire wall. The architectural
style is typical of that of the Mormon community in Nauvoo.
22 Julius Greef
House – This two-story brick Georgian style home was built
in part by Julius Greef, the junior partner of the early Bentonsport
firm of "Greef and Pergrin" who operated a general store and
bank. The single story on the north side was constructed in 1848 and the
two-story brick addition was built in 1867. It was occupied by Julius
Greef and his wife, Kate, and their ward, Millie Pergrin, until they
relocated to Kansas in the early 1890s. It is believed that the original
part on the north side was built by Mormon craftsmen on a layover on
their trek to Utah. Certain architectural details can be seen on
original homes built by Mormon craftsmen in Nauvoo, Illinois. It is
currently a private residence.