Greyscale
Veteran
The Vincent House
1872
The Vincent House is the oldest structure left in the community. Constructed in 1872 by James Swain, an early pharmacist it follows the Second Empire style characterized by the mansard roof and tall narrow windows. Constructed of local brick and wood its exterior walls are 30 inches thick. An addition was added to the back of the house around 1880. The house was a social center of the time and the third floor was and remains a ballroom.
Swain's wife, Adeline Morrison Swain, was not only an influential member of the community but achieved recognition on both the state and national levels. Named to the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 2000 Adeline Swain was a leader in education for young women, an early women’s rights advocate, the first woman to run for a state-wide political office, a talented amateur naturalist who was a scientific observer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a leader of the Greenback Movement of the 1870s and a respected artist.
The house was purchased in the late 1870s by Webb Vincent, a founder of the local gypsum industry. Vincent, along with another Fort Dodge resident, developed a method of retarding the setting time for gypsum which allowed it for the first time to be used as a plaster in homes, revolutionizing the industry. The plaster was first used in the third floor ballroom of the house, the first building in the United States to do so.
The house is now owned by the YWCA, as a result of a gift in the 1960s from the Vincent/Deardorf family. The interior has been restored to its original condition with high ceilings, indoor shutters, pocket doors and many of the original furnishings. It now is used primarily for meetings and receptions. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the early 1970s, the first site so honored in Fort Dodge.
Vincent House by Greyscale3, on Flickr
Vincent House by Greyscale3, on Flickr
Vincent House coachhouse by Greyscale3, on Flickr
Vincent House by Greyscale3, on Flickr
The "other Fort Dodge resident" mentioned in the synopsis was John Ringland, and the little company that they founded was United States Gypsum (USG). Fort Dodge has more gypsum than the White Cliffs of Dover, and perhaps the hardest water in the country. The Cardiff Giant was carved from a slab of Fort Dodge gypsum.
Photos of Mr. Ringlands even more remarkable home can be seen here.
1872
The Vincent House is the oldest structure left in the community. Constructed in 1872 by James Swain, an early pharmacist it follows the Second Empire style characterized by the mansard roof and tall narrow windows. Constructed of local brick and wood its exterior walls are 30 inches thick. An addition was added to the back of the house around 1880. The house was a social center of the time and the third floor was and remains a ballroom.
Swain's wife, Adeline Morrison Swain, was not only an influential member of the community but achieved recognition on both the state and national levels. Named to the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 2000 Adeline Swain was a leader in education for young women, an early women’s rights advocate, the first woman to run for a state-wide political office, a talented amateur naturalist who was a scientific observer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a leader of the Greenback Movement of the 1870s and a respected artist.
The house was purchased in the late 1870s by Webb Vincent, a founder of the local gypsum industry. Vincent, along with another Fort Dodge resident, developed a method of retarding the setting time for gypsum which allowed it for the first time to be used as a plaster in homes, revolutionizing the industry. The plaster was first used in the third floor ballroom of the house, the first building in the United States to do so.
The house is now owned by the YWCA, as a result of a gift in the 1960s from the Vincent/Deardorf family. The interior has been restored to its original condition with high ceilings, indoor shutters, pocket doors and many of the original furnishings. It now is used primarily for meetings and receptions. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the early 1970s, the first site so honored in Fort Dodge.
Vincent House by Greyscale3, on Flickr
Vincent House by Greyscale3, on Flickr
Vincent House coachhouse by Greyscale3, on Flickr
Vincent House by Greyscale3, on Flickr
The "other Fort Dodge resident" mentioned in the synopsis was John Ringland, and the little company that they founded was United States Gypsum (USG). Fort Dodge has more gypsum than the White Cliffs of Dover, and perhaps the hardest water in the country. The Cardiff Giant was carved from a slab of Fort Dodge gypsum.
Photos of Mr. Ringlands even more remarkable home can be seen here.
Beemermark
Veteran
Brings back memories. I used to live in West Des Moines and I bet if I hunted I could find my pictures from 30+ years ago.
BTW my father, grandfather, aunt, uncles, etc worked for USG. Dad did 42 years, starting out in the company housing and shopping at the company store.
BTW my father, grandfather, aunt, uncles, etc worked for USG. Dad did 42 years, starting out in the company housing and shopping at the company store.
Greyscale
Veteran
Correction: It has been brought to my attention that the cliffs of Dover are chalk (Calcium Carbonate) and not gypsum (Calcium Sulfate).