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Keokuk Young Women's Christian Association Building

Buildings and structures completed in 1913Buildings and structures in Keokuk, IowaClubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in IowaFormer courthouses in IowaHistory of women in Iowa
National Register of Historic Places in Lee County, IowaYWCA buildings
Keokuk YWCA
Keokuk YWCA

The Keokuk Young Women's Christian Association Building is a historic building located in Keokuk, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The local YWCA was organized in 1905 and initially leased space for their activities. The land for this building was donated by Gerard Huiskamp. Completed in 1913, the building was designed by local architect Harry E. Ratcliffe. It is representative of transitional architecture in the early 20th century. The two-story brick structure is built on top of a full basement. It features Art Deco tile ornamentation. The exposed basement level is concrete that is designed to look like stone. In addition to the YWCA, the building served as a hub for social activities in the community. It was home to the YWCA for nearly 50 years until it merged with the YMCA, which sat across the street. From 1953 to 1975, both buildings were used by the combined organization. In 1975 a modern facility replaced the two older buildings, and the former YMCA building, which had been built in 1899, was torn down that year. In 1976 the first floor of the former YWCA building was renovated for use as the courthouse for southern Lee County. Those functions were transferred to the former United States Post Office and Courthouse in 1994.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Keokuk Young Women's Christian Association Building (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Keokuk Young Women's Christian Association Building
Blondeau Street,

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Latitude Longitude
N 40.396388888889 ° E -91.381666666667 °
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Address

Blondeau Street 425
52632
Iowa, United States
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Keokuk YWCA
Keokuk YWCA
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E. H. Harrison House
E. H. Harrison House

The E. H. Harrison House is a historic building located in Keokuk, Iowa, United States. It was designed in a combination of Federal, Greek Revival, and Second Empire styles by local architect Frederick H. Moore, and built in 1857 by local builder R.P. Gray. It is believed that this is the first house in Iowa to have a Mansard roof, which is its Second Empire influence. The Federal style is found in the building's large windows, the elliptical doorway arch, the bowed two story front bay, and the brickwork. The Greek Revival style is found in the offset doorway. Its interior features a unique open, two-story, self-supporting staircase that is said to be one of seven in existence in the United States. Additions have been built onto the back of the house, but their dates are unknown. The man who had the house built was Enos H. Harrison, who was a successful businessman originally from Elizabeth, New Jersey. He and his family settled in Keokuk in 1849. In Iowa, he helped establish the Keokuk Branch of the Iowa State Bank where he served as its first president. He also helped to establish the waterworks in Keokuk and the Iowa State Insurance Company. Harrison was involved with other business interests and the local Unitarian Church, which was located next door. He also served four terms as First Ward Alderman in Keokuk. Harrison died here in 1877, and the family sold the house. It was converted into offices around 1967. The building is said to be haunted by a friendly ghost, although it reportedly chased out one of the building's tenants. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.