E. H. Gibbs House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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E.H. Gibbs House
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | William Penn College campus, Oskaloosa, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Frank E. Wetherell |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Oskaloosa MPS 1Oskaloosa MPS 2Oskaloosa MPS 3 |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001761 |
| Added to NRHP | December 13, 1991 |
The E. H. Gibbs House was a historic building in Oskaloosa, Iowa. It was also known as "The Elms at Ridge Place" and "Griffith Hall." This house was built in 1903 and designed by a famous architect named Frank E. Wetherell. It was known for its beautiful Classical Revival style. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 because of its historical importance.
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Who Was E. H. Gibbs?
E. H. Gibbs was a very important person in Oskaloosa. He moved to the town in 1869. Mr. Gibbs was a successful businessman. He worked as a banker and developed real estate. He also started an insurance company. He even helped develop a coal mine.
Helping Oskaloosa Grow
E. H. Gibbs did a lot for Oskaloosa. He helped bring the railroad to town. This was a big deal for transportation and trade. He also started the Oskaloosa Times newspaper. He was its first editor.
The House's Architect and Design
E. H. Gibbs hired Frank E. Wetherell to design his new house. Wetherell was an architect from Oskaloosa. The house was finished in 1903.
Wetherell's Work in Oskaloosa
The Gibbs House was one of Wetherell's big projects. He had recently designed two other important buildings. These were St. James Episcopal Church and the Oskaloosa Public Library. The Gibbs house was special because it was his first design made with brick.
Style of the House
The E. H. Gibbs House was a two-story brick building. It was known as "The Elms at Ridge Place." It replaced an older wooden house on the same spot. The house showed Wetherell's interest in the Classical Revival style. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. Three years after the house was built, Wetherell moved to Des Moines, Iowa.
What Happened to the House Later?
The Gibbs family later gave the house to William Penn University. The university was a neighbor to the house. They renamed the building Griffith Hall.
New Uses for the Building
At William Penn University, Griffith Hall was used for offices. It also had rooms for music lessons. The house was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 13, 1991. This recognized its historical value. Sadly, the building was later torn down.
