Washington in Washington County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Blair House
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
1. Blair House Marker
1880
National Register of Historic Places
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 41° 17.891′ N, 91° 41.416′ W. Marker is in Washington, Iowa, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of East Washington Street (State Highway 92) and South 2nd Avenue (State Highway 92), on the left when traveling west on East Washington Street. The marker and the Blair House are located at the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 East Washington Street, Washington IA 52353, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Civil War Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bicentennial (about 500 feet away); Rock Island Lines (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jonathan Clark Conger House (approx. 0.4 miles away); This Log Cabin Erected by Alexander Young (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Settler's Home in Washington County
this page online
Regarding Blair House. National Register of Historic Places #73000741.
From the National Register Nomination:
Blair House was designed and built in 1880-1881 by Iowa architect William Foster who also designed the county courthouse on the other side of the city square. Architecturally, Blair House compliments the dominant nineteenth century character of Washington's city square area. Because few Victorian homes remain in this area, the Blair House stands as an architectural landmark.It was the center of the private social life of Washington in the late 19th century. Taken over by the Commercial Club in 1903, the Blair House remained the center of the community's social life for many years as all the social clubs met in the building. The use of the house as City Hall beginning in 1926 also increased the building's importance to the city to the point that no other building in the city was so tied to the social and commercial life of the community. Veterans' organizations, rotary, etc., met here for years.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
2. Blair House Marker
Looking east from South 2nd Avenue.
The building has served several different functions in its history. It was built as a private residence by a local financier and realtor Winfield Smouse. The Blair family lived here from 1882 to 1891, followed by C.J. Wilson. It then housed the Commercial Club from 1903 to 1926 and they added a gymnasium and club rooms on the south side. The building housed the Washington City Hall from 1926 to 1972. They added a larger front porch, a fire station to the east side of the house and hung the fire bell in the tower. It is one of the few Victorian houses that remains in this area. The 2˝ story structure follows an irregular plan. Its exterior is composed of brick and both the main block and the tower are capped with a mansard roof.(Submitted on December 30, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
3. Blair House (northwest elevation)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
4. Blair House (northeast elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 30, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
