Chief Justice Joseph M. Beck House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chief Justice Joseph M. Beck House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 630 Ave. E Fort Madison, Iowa |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1869 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival Italianate Romanesque Revival |
| Part of | Park-to-Park Residential Historic District (ID14001069) |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001116 |
| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1988 |
The Chief Justice Joseph M. Beck House is a special old building in Fort Madison, Iowa, United States. It is known for its unique history and interesting design. This house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it is an important place worth protecting. Later, in 2014, it became part of the Park-to-Park Residential Historic District.
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Who Was Joseph M. Beck?
Joseph M. Beck moved to Fort Madison in 1850. He became a very important lawyer in the area. People in Fort Madison elected him as their mayor. He also served as the county attorney.
Beck's Public Service
Beyond his law work, Joseph Beck was involved in many things. He helped with banking and building railroads. He also helped start the First Baptist Church. Beck was a key person in creating the Republican Party in Iowa.
A Judge for Iowa
From 1868 to 1891, Joseph Beck served as a judge. He was a justice on the Iowa Supreme Court. For five of those years, he held the highest position as chief justice. As a judge, he supported equal rights for all people. He also supported laws that aimed to control alcohol use.
What Makes the Beck House Special?
The Joseph M. Beck House is a two-story brick building. It sits on a corner lot in Fort Madison. The Beck family owned this house for many years. They lived there from 1859 until 1937.
The House's Unique Design
The house was built in 1869. It shows off several different building styles. You can see parts of Gothic Revival and Italianate styles. It also has features from the Romanesque Revival style.
Architectural Details to Spot
The Gothic Revival and Italianate styles are clear in the house's roof. It has a high, pointed roof on the north side. You can also see fancy decorations on the roof edges. These are called verge boards. The house also has brackets under the roof's edge. These are called eaves. The round windows are a sign of the Romanesque Revival style. The house is painted red, just like it was when it was first built.
