National Register of Historic Places

Close House

Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
Listed
May 30, 1974
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
74000791

About this property

The Close Mansion, also known as the Close House, was one of the great mansions of Iowa City, Iowa, USA, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1874 at a cost of around $15,000. The mansion is located at the corner of Gilbert and Bowery in Iowa City. The Close family was involved in a linseed oil company and a glove factory, both of which were located near that home. After the Close family sold the home it was used by the Acacia Fraternity and later was occupied by the Johnson County Department of Social Welfare. During the years of the home's renovation, several of the Italianate-style characteristics were removed, including the widows walk, the front balconies and the glassed-in cupola. The red brick of the house was temporarily painted gray but the paint has since been removed. The cupola and balconies have since been restored to the home. The Close Mansion currently houses Public Space One, a community driven, non-profit contemporary arts center. The LGBTQ Iowa Archives & Library is housed on the mansion's second floor.

Location

538 S. Gilbert St.
Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
41.65435, -91.52985

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Nearby Historic Sites

Hawthorne Glove and Novelty Company-Shrader Drug Company Building
Industrial
0.1 mi
Bowery Street Grocery Store
Industrial
0.1 mi
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Passenger Station
Industrial
0.2 mi
East College Street Historic District
Listed
0.3 mi
Tate Arms
Industrial
0.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Close House listed on the National Register?

Close House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 30, 1974.

What type of historic resource is Close House?

Close House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Close House?

The period of significance for Close House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Close House?

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