Wilson Building (Fairfield, Iowa)

The Former US Post Office Building is a historic building located in Fairfield, Iowa, [United States. The two-story, brick, Italianate structure was built in 1876 by James F. Wilson. It was the first building in Fairfield built specifically for the federal government. In 1865 Wilson, helped to establish and was the president of the First National Bank in Fairfield. He also built several store fronts as investments, including the immediately adjacent Wilson Building. By the time this building was constructed Wilson had been a three-term Republican congressman representing Iowa's 1st congressional district. Seven years after this building was constructed, he began the first of two terms in the United States Senate. At that time, the post office typically rented buildings for its use. The historic significance of this building reflects Wilson's political connections in the federal government. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Fairfield Public Library is located in Fairfield, Iowa, United States. A library association was founded by a group of local men in 1853, and funded by dues from its members. It was housed in several different buildings for the first 40 years. U.S. Senator James F. Wilson from Fairfield was instrumental in obtaining a grant from Andrew Carnegie for a building of its own. The grant for $40,000 was accepted on January 15, 1892. It was the first Carnegie Library outside of Western Pennsylvania and the first of 101 built in Iowa. It was also one the few libraries Carnegie funded without stipulations concerning its use, public support, or design. The building was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style by Kansas City architect C. Stafford. It was officially opened on Friday, September 29, 1893, and it was dedicated on November 28 of the same year. The association continued to run the library until 1899 when voters approved a referendum to support it with taxes. The building has been altered in the ensuing years, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The library moved to a new building in 1996, and the historic building is now home to the Jefferson County Service Center of Indian Hills Community College.

The Gobble and Heer–Spurgeons Building is a historic building located in Fairfield, Iowa, United States. It housed two long-time businesses and its significance highlights the commercial development of the city's public square. The building is a three-story, brick, Queen Anne commercial building that was built by Ed Hunt and E. A. Howard on the north side of the town square in 1892. They did not occupy the building themselves, but rented to Harry Booker for his clothing store and the Bevering Cigar Store. Lee T. Gobble and Charles H. Heer bought the clothing store from the Booker estate in 1899. Both the clothing store and the cigar store remained in the building until the 1930s when the entire first floor was taken over by Spurgeons. The upper floors were a mix of offices, apartments, and a lodge hall for the Knights of Pythias and the Pythian Sisters on the third floor. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

The R. B. and Lizzie L. Louden House, also known as the William and Susan F. Elliott House and the John and Gladdy Ball House, is a historic residence located in Fairfield, Iowa, United States. The single family dwelling was built in 1871 for William and Susan Elliott. Its historical significance derives from its association with R. B. Louden, who served as the president of the Louden Machinery Company from 1899 through 1939 and his residence here. He and his wife Lizzie substantially remodeled the house in 1900 and 1929, which gives it its eclectic appearance. Their additions include two enclosed porches and a sleeping porch designed by Ottumwa, Iowa architect George M. Kerns. The historic designation includes the 2½-story brick house and the 2-story, brick, double garage in the back. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

The George A. Wells House, also known as the Wells-Booker-Taylor House, is a historic residence located in Fairfield, Iowa, United States. Wells was a drugest and later a banker who settled in Fairfield in 1856. Because of financial difficulties he built the house over a period of four years, completing it in 1883. He was also a local promoter who sat on the Parsons College board of trustees. A Republican, he served as an alderman and mayor of Fairfield. Samuel F. Booker, another community promoter and a farmer, was the second owner retired and died here. The two-story house is a combination of brick and frame construction. It is a late example of Vernacular Greek Revival style. The back wing, which is the frame portion of the structure, is original to the house. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The former First Church of Christ, Scientist is located at 300 East Burlington Avenue in Fairfield, Iowa, United States. It is an historic structure that on October 30, 1997 was determined to be eligible for addition to the National Register of Historic Places, but was not added. The building now houses St. Gabriel and All Angels Liberal Catholic Church.

The McElhinny House is a historic building located in Fairfield, Iowa, United States. Built about 1850, the house is a dwelling from the city's early years. The two-story frame structure follows an L-shaped plan. Its prominent feature is the two-story porch that covers three of the five bays on the main facade. It was built for Robert McElhinny, a Pennsylvania native. He was elected the first president of the Jefferson County Library Association, one of the first groups of this type in Iowa. He also served on the board of Fairfield University when it was established in 1854, and contributed to its successor, Parsons College, at its founding. The house went on to become the home of the Fairfield Women's Club. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

The James F. Clarke House is a historic building located in Fairfield, Iowa, United States. This Prairie School house was built for Dr. Clarke in 1916. It was designed by Francis Barry Byrne, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Byrne was a part of the Prairie School until its demise, and this house shows his movement away from its formal expression, but not its ideals. The two-story brick structure is capped with a low-pitched gable roof. It follows the idiom's use of open and flowing plans, but deviates in its use of simpler decorative forms and De Stijl-like colors. The windows, doors and baseboards are all plain and flat. Clarke was one of the first people in Jefferson County to own an automobile, and the house has one of the first attached garages. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Fairfield is a city in, and the county seat of, Jefferson County, Iowa. It has a population of 9,416 people, according to the 2020 census. The median family income is $46,138, with 10% of families below the poverty line. It became the county seat in 1839 with 110 residents and grew to 650 by 1847. Its library was established in 1853, and it held its first fair in 1854. Early architecture in Fairfield includes work by George Franklin Barber and Barry Byrne.

The James A. Beck House, also known as the Sloca House, is a historic residence located in Fairfield, Iowa, United States. Beck was a Fairfield native who owned a grocery business, before starting a profitable career as a hotelier. He had this Queen Anne house built in 1896. It is based on a pattern designed by the George F. Barber & Co. of Knoxville, Tennessee. It is similar to the Linsay House in Iowa City, which was built closer to the original pattern. The 2½-story frame house follows an irregular plan and it is built on a stone foundation. It features a polygonal turret that rises from the second floor over the wrap-around porch. The porch itself features a circular pavilion that is capped by a flattened conical roof. A two-story carriage house is located behind the main house. It dates from 1875 when the previous house on this property was built, and was renovated to reflect the Queen Anne house. The Beck House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

KRUU-LP (100.1 FM) was a 100-watt non-commercial low-power community radio station operating in Fairfield, Iowa. The station was partially solar powered. KRUU-LP was an open source, independent radio, listener-supported station and served a broadcast radius of approximately ten miles.

The Jefferson County Courthouse located in Fairfield, Iowa, United States was built from 1890 to 1893. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource. The courthouse is the third building the county has used for court functions and county administration.