Locust Street 1375IOWA STATE HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT, DIVISION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION
DUBUQUE, IOWA 1978
Amh,tectural SUrvey 1979
Inventory
STREET ADDRESS
BUILDING NAME
PRESENT OWNER
Address
Photograph ~o~ ~
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
DATE OF CONSTRUCTION
Source
ARCHITECT/BUILDER
Source
PRESENT USE
DESIGNED USE
Source
ACCESSIBILITY
STATUS
BUILDING MATERIALS
Foundation .,,~
Walls
Trim ~j~./
Porch/Storefr6nt.%~7~
Eaves/Cornicewo~w~
Roof.
Chimney(s)
DESIGN FEATURES
Style %~ O ~~
Details of Note:
Znterior Features:
~/U~/NO
~/UNO/W~
CONDITION
~234
l~S~4
le)34
~f~2 3 4
1~34
1~34
1234
1234
1234
Frame
Facade N/S/E/W By Date
MODIFICATIONS/ADDITIONS:
COMMENT:
Site Features:
Evaluation
I QUALITY Aesthetic ~2 3 4
Historical 1~3 4
Rarity ~2 3 4
II ENVIRONMENTAL STATURE 1~3 4
III CONTEXT Immediate <[I) 2 3 4
Broad ~2 3 4
IV INTEGRITY OF FABRIC 1~3 4
Architectural Significance
PROBABLE ADDITIONAL AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE
REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS
COMMENT:
HABS/NRHP
SURVEY CONSULTANT: Bruce M. Kriviskey, AICP Date
Site Inventory Form
State Inventory No. 31-02034
New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa
Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
Relationship:ContributingNoncontributing
(December 1, 1999)
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name William Ryan House
other names/site number
2. Location
street & number 1375 Locust
city or town Dubuque vicinity, county Dubuque
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Block(s) Lot(s) see below
3. State/Federal Agency Certification []
Skip this Section
4. National Park Service Certification []
Skip this Section
5. Classification
Category of Property Number of Resources within Property
(Check only one box)
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site 0 buildings 1 0 buildings
structure sites sites
object structures structures
objects objects
0 Total 1 0 Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study
(Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
The Architectural and Historical Resources of Dubuque, 1833-1955N/A
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions Current Functions
(Enter categories from instructions)(Enter categories from instructions)
01-Domestic/01A01single dwelling residence 01-Domestic/01A01single dwelling residence
7. Description
Architectural Classification Materials
(Enter categories from instructions)(Enter categories from instructions)
nd
05-Late Victorian/05C-2 Empire foundation Stone
walls brick
roof Asphalt
other
Narrative Description
( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria
(Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A
Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B
Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C
Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D
Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
31-02034
Dubuque1375 Locust
County Address Site Number
Dubuque
City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance Significant Dates
(Enter categories from instructions)
Construction date
Architecturepre-1872
check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
1873
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above)
Architect
N/A Heer, Frdolin J. Heer Sr.
Builder
Unknown
Narrative Statement of Significance
( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography
See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References
(OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1 2
3 4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title James E. Jacobsen
organization History Pays! Historic Preservation Consulting Firm date June 15, 2004
street & number 4411 Ingersoll Avenue telephone 515-274-3625
city or town Des Moines state IA zip code 50312
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
(Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet # 7467 Frame/slot # 20, 21 Date Taken Sept. 2003
Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken
photo & slide catalog sheet
See continuation sheet or attached for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District:
(List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
31-02034
Site Number
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
William Ryan House Dubuque
Name of Property County
1375 Locust Dubuque
Address City
7. Narrative Description:
This property is located in the Jackson Park Historic District. Style/Year: pre-1872, 1873 (Tacie says
1873) (Grannis), Second Empire style embodied in Mansard roof, belvedere with convex Mansard roof
and widow’s walk with metal rails, ornate stone entry surround, arcaded south porch, flamboyant stone
window hoods, front bay.
th
Designer/Builder: Fridolin J. Heer Sr. (Andrew House, 14 & Locust) (Telegraph-Herald, April 23,
1933).
Physical Description: two-story brick rectangular plan (84’6”x31) with off-centered south side wing
(6x23), raised stone foundation and water table, pilaster and horizontal cap-defined recessed wall
planes below the upper story spring stone level are reflective of brickwork of the late 1860s, special
features are the elongated arcaded porch (flattened rounded arches with brackets and pendants), and
balustrades with repeated oculus motifs, the front first-story bay, an ornate stone entry (right front) that
terminates at the second floor sill level, the belvedere (all of the projecting features are heavily
ornamented with columns and brackets). Rounded dormers are placed on both of the Mansard attic
levels. The stone window hoods are multi-tiered and step outwards as the several parapet layers are
defined. The spring stones are set against the recessed wall plane. A second upper lintel tier is set on
a brick belt course line and a distinct keystone advances even further out from the wall. Brick belt
courses with almost shelf-like dimensions trace the sill levels on each floor. The cornice has paired
stepped brackets and is denticulated. The tower lights are 2/2, while the core windows are 4/4. A very
ornate second floor chandelier is original, while the parlor chandelier is now in the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, New York City. Rear centered wing (6’6”x23) with flanking porches (38x9’6”, 21x5’6”).
Foundation walls 24” thick. East bays measure 5x10 (south) and 4x8 (north).
Alterations: The south porch has been built in with sets of narrow rectangular lights. A south single-
story wing has been recently added (pre-1986). Permits note re-roofing in 1985, porch repair 1968,
swimming pool 1969, porch enclosed 1968, south entrance addition 1973, fire escape 1979, repair
soffit 1985. Assessor notes single-story brick 6x27 addition, 1971, on east end of north wall, frame
entryway addition 1974-75 12’8”x16, on south bay front (6x27).
Landscaping/Setting: level parcel with open ground to the south and east, house orients east. There is
a stone retaining wall with metal fence, the fence is said to bear the likeness of U.S. Grant, a friend of
Thompson’s, on its posts.
8. Narrative Statement of Significance:
Special Significance; William Andrews House, Mayor John Thompson House, William Ryan House.
Thompson owned the largest leather processing and saddlery hardware firm west of the Mississippi
River, Ryan was the king of pork packing (his nickname was “Hog Ryan”). The cast iron fence bears
the likeness of Grant in its casting and Grant visited this house in 1879 (see Herald, December 2,
1879).
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
31-02034
Site Number
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
William Ryan House Dubuque
Name of Property County
1375 Locust Dubuque
Address City
Original Owner/Builder: William Andrew built next to Ryan’s new mansion, “a symmetrical and beautiful
piece of architecture…French in style…at Bluff near 14th,” $18,000, 37x86, three stories with mansard
roof (Herald, November 9, 1873). John Thompson purchased the house January 14, 1874, and added
a stable and other improvements for $2,000 in 1881 (Herald, December 12, 1881). Thompson was
employed by L. D. Randall & Company at that time.
Building History: Ryan purchased this house on February 17, 1884, eight years after his second
marriage to Catherine Brown Ryan (1859-1926), in 1885 (Tace says October 5) Ryan had the house
moved south 16.5 feet to a new foundation. A dated new gas chandelier is dated tot his same period.
Mrs. Catherine Ryan resided here permanently following the death of William Ryan on September 5,
1890 and the last Ryan (Alice Ryan) lived there until her death in 1966 (Souvenir Gems). The house
was perfectly preserved by two surviving daughters, Alice and Helen, who died in 1965 (aged 80) and
1966 (aged 77) respectively. The house contents were sold at auction in 1966. Robert A. Sullivan
purchased the house in 1967 and restored it. The house became a restaurant in 1971 and was leased
to Caterers Inc. in 1993. The Ryan House Building Company was made the owner and in 1995
transferred the house to the Dubuque County Historical Society (Telegraph-Herald, December 27,
1995; Iowan Magazine, Vol 16, Spring 1968, pp. 17-22, 54; ibid. Winter 1967-68, pp. 44-48, 52;
comments from Ms. Tacie Campbell).
William Ryan owned the parcel when it was sewered.
9. Major Bibliographical References:
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1884, 1891, 1909/36
Dubuque City Directories, 1902, 1915, 1925, 1934
Bruce Kriviskey, Dubuque, Iowa--Architectural Survey 1978/1979, Atlas of City Wide and District
Survey Maps, Dubuque; n.p., c.1979
Dubuque County Assessor’s Data
Newspapers and other primary sources as noted in the text above.
Historical photographs, Center For Dubuque History, Loras College
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William Ryan House Dubuque
Name of Property County
1375 Locust Dubuque
Address City
10. Additional Documentation:
Legal Description: N middle 1/5 S 40’10” 663, middle 1/5 of 663.
Map: