National Register of Historic Places

Harrison, E. H., House

Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa
Listed
January 12, 1984
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
84001270

About this property

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.

Location

220 N. 4th St.
Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa
40.39669, -91.38116

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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Nearby Historic Sites

Keokuk Young Women's Christian Association Building
Industrial
0 mi
St. John's Episcopal Church and Parish Hall
Industrial
0.1 mi
Hotel Iowa
Industrial
0.1 mi
Miller, Justice Samuel Freeman, House
Industrial
0.1 mi
U.S. Post Office and Courthouse
Industrial
0.2 mi

Nearby Battles

Black Hawk War: Battle of Fort Hamilton Illinois 1832
1832Early Republic
2.4 mi
Skirmish at Yellow Creek
1862Civil War
10.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Harrison, E. H., House listed on the National Register?

Harrison, E. H., House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 12, 1984.

What type of historic resource is Harrison, E. H., House?

Harrison, E. H., House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Harrison, E. H., House?

The period of significance for Harrison, E. H., House is recorded as the industrial era.

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