LeClaire in Scott County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Old Mill House
Capt. John W. VanSant
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
1. Old Mill House Marker
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Built 1851
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 41° 36.063′ N, 90° 20.608′ W. Marker is in LeClaire, Iowa, in Scott County. It is on North Cody Road (U.S. 67) north of Ewing Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 N Cody Rd, Le Claire IA 52753, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Quad Cities and in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. 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: The Rambo House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Samuel Van Sant House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); LeClaire City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); The George Tromley, Jr. House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Buffalo Bill Museum (approx. 0.2 miles away); LeClaire Veterans Monument (approx. Ό mile away); The Horton-Suiter House (approx. Ό mile away); Green Tree / Buffalo Bill Trail (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LeClaire.
Regarding Old Mill House.
this page online
This house, built by Alfred Jansen, was acquired c. 1865 by J.W. Van Sant, along with the adjoining boatyards. Van Sant began his river career at Rock Island in the 1840's as a ship carpenter and boatbuilder. In 1862 he came to Le Claire, to take over the boatyards originally established by the Davenport and Rogers Co. The yards, which occupied nearly two blocks along the river and employed about 100 men, built boats as well as repaired them. Following the success of his son Sam's J.W. Van Sant as a raftboat, the yards produced a number of boats of this type, including the D.A. McDonald, Le Claire Belle and Silver Wave. Many of them were also owned and operated under Van Sant auspices, through the Van Sant-Musser Navigation Co.
Also see . . .
1. Old Mill House (PDF). National Register of Historic Places documentation of the house, which was listed in 1979 as part of the Houses of Mississippi River Men Thematic Resource submittal. (National Archives) (Submitted on August 9, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Van Sant John Wesley (J W). Transcripts of obituaries and other news items relating to him. (IAGenWeb, Iowa History Project) (Submitted on August 9, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
2. Old Mill House Marker
Unknown via Buffalo Bill Museum (Public Domain)
3. John Wesley Van Sant (1810-1902)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
