West Branch in Cedar County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

A Growing Town

— Herbert Hoover National Historic Site —

Photographed By Connor Olson, July 26, 2020

1. A Growing Town Marker

Inscription. The four houses on this Poplar Street block were here in the 1870s and 1880s when Herbert Hoover was a boy. Families built the houses on lots they bought from John Wetherell, a Quaker real-estate developer who had subdivided 5 acres. The Hoover's also bought the property from Wetherell. As you might guess, the road behind you is named Wetherell Street.

Photo captions:
Mackey House: Carpenter David Mackey designed and built this house in 1869. One of the town's few Democrats, he was elected mayor in 1879.
Hayhurst House: E. S. Hayhurst bought three lots in 1870 and built this house. When the Hayhursts could not make payments, Wetherell repossessed the lots and rented the house. The 1912 photo show Civil War veterans in front of the house.
Wright House: Mary Wright bought two lots in 1873 and owned the property for 48 years. Her husband, William, sold his blacksmith shop in 1875 and opened a harness and boot shop.
Staples House: Dr. James and Eliza Staples bought this house in 1876. The historic photo shows the house in 1878, six years after it was built.
These four homes are preserved as part of the park's commemorative landscape. They are not open to the public.

Erected by National Park Service, US Department of the Interior.

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historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 41° 40.26′ N, 91° 20.851′ W. Marker is in West Branch, Iowa, in Cedar County. Marker is on Poplar Street near Wetherell Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Branch IA 52358, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Herbert Hoover (here, next to this marker); The Mackey House (a few steps from this marker); Learning their A, B, Cs (within shouting distance of this marker); A World of Opportunity (within shouting distance of this marker); Garvin House (within shouting distance of this marker); Forging Character (within shouting distance of this marker); C.E. Smith House (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore Historic Downtown (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Branch.

Historic Homes of Poplar Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Connor Olson, July 26, 2020

2. Historic Homes of Poplar Street

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.