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

C.E. Smith House

Photographed by Connor Olson, July 26, 2020

1. C.E. Smith House Marker

Inscription. Charles E. Smith, a Civil War veteran and carpenter, moved in the 1880s to West Branch with his wife, Deborah. In 1903 he finished this dream house on top of Cook’s Hill, down the road to your left, where each spring he tapped his maple trees to make syrup.

(captions)
The Smiths on their 50th anniversary, 1917
A Methodist church previously stood on this site. The NPS moved the house here in 1969 to add a historic building to the commemorative landscape.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 41° 40.241′ N, 91° 20.805′ W. Marker is in West Branch, Iowa, in Cedar County. It is on South Downey Street south of West Main Street, on the right when traveling south. Located on a fence post in front of the home. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Branch IA 52358, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

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is in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Varney House (a few steps from this marker); Leech House (a few steps from this marker); Garvin House (a few steps from this marker); A World of Opportunity (within shouting distance of this marker); Laban Miles House (within shouting distance of this marker); Herbert Hoover (within shouting distance of this marker); A President's Rural Roots (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.

Other markers no longer nearby. The C.E. Smith House (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Dr. Leech House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another

C.E. Smith House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, July 26, 2020

2. C.E. Smith House

marker now near it); The Amanda Garvin Cottage (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Hannah Varney House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Laban Miles House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 538 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 15, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.