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Hobson Block
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property
The Hobson Block.jpg
Hobson Block is located in Iowa
Hobson Block
Location in Iowa
Location 110–114 S. Vine St.
West Union, Iowa
Area less than 1 acre
Built 1885
Architect Edward Easton
Architectural style Late Victorian
Part of West Union Commercial Historic District (ID15000191)
MPS Iowa's Main Street Commercial Architecture MPS
NRHP reference No. 08001042
Added to NRHP November 7, 2008

The Hobson Block is a really old and important building in West Union, Iowa. It's made of brick and stone. A local architect named Edward Easton designed it. This building helped rebuild the town after a big fire in 1885.

The Hobson Block: A Special Historic Building

The Hobson Block is a historic building in West Union, Iowa. It was built a long time ago, in 1885. This building is special because of its history and how it looks. It shows us what buildings were like in the past.

Built After a Big Fire

In May 1885, a big fire destroyed many wooden buildings in West Union. The town needed to rebuild. The Hobson Block was one of the new buildings constructed after this fire. It was made of brick and stone, which are much stronger than wood. This helped make the town safer from future fires.

What is the Late Victorian Style?

The Hobson Block was designed in the Late Victorian style. This was a popular way to build things during the time of Queen Victoria. Buildings in this style often have fancy details. They might have decorative bricks or stone carvings. The Hobson Block shows off some of these cool design elements.

Why is it Historic?

The Hobson Block is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list means the building is recognized for its historical value. It was added to the list in 2008.

In 2015, the Hobson Block also became part of the West Union Commercial Historic District. This means it's one of many important buildings in a special area. These buildings together tell the story of West Union's past.

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