Elbert-Bates House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Elbert-Bates House
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 106 2nd Ave., W. Albia, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1873-1875 1917-1918 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001379 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 1985 |
The Elbert-Bates House is a historic home in Albia, Iowa, United States. It is named after two of its early owners. This house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Contents
Who Lived in the Elbert-Bates House?
The house is named for two important people who lived there.
Benjamin F. Elbert
Benjamin F. Elbert was the first owner. He had the house built between 1873 and 1875. Mr. Elbert was a successful businessman. He worked as a cashier and was on the board of directors for the First National Bank of Albia. He also raised cattle. Later, he moved to Des Moines and continued his successful business career there.
David W. Bates
David W. Bates was another important owner. He was a local lawyer and banker. Mr. Bates served as the Iowa State Superintendent of Banking. This was a very important job, especially during the Great Depression. The Great Depression was a time when many people faced tough economic challenges. From 1917 to 1918, Mr. Bates added a two-story sunroom to the back of the house. This sunroom has a Prairie Style design. At the same time, the old wooden front porch was removed because it was rotting.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Elbert-Bates House has a special design. It is built in a style called Italianate. This style often features tall windows and decorative eaves.
The Four Sisters
The Elbert-Bates House is one of four large brick houses in Albia. These houses are known as the "Four Sisters." They all have a unique brick pattern on their outside walls. This pattern is called "running brick bonding." It was not common in southern Iowa when these houses were built. This special brickwork suggests that the houses might have been designed by the same architect. Or perhaps they were built by the same brick mason.
Possible Architect
One of the other "Four Sisters" houses is the T.B. Perry House. It was designed by Charles A. Dunham, an architect from Burlington, Iowa. He also designed the Vermilion Estate in nearby Appanoose County. The Vermilion Estate looks similar to the original part of the Elbert-Bates House. It is possible that Charles A. Dunham designed all of these unique homes.
