J.W. Garner Building

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

1. J.W. Garner Building Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Molly Myers Naumann, 12/2009:
The J.W. Garner Building was designed by Ottumwa architect George M. Kerns to house the J.W. Garner Wholesale Dry Goods business in the basement and first floor, with offices on the second floor and storage on the third floor. The three-story brick Garner Building rests on a limestone foundation and is rectangular in shape, measuring 44 feet by 132 feet. A slightly

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

2. J.W. Garner Building Marker

The marker is mounted on the left side of the northwest entrance.

taller three-story building with full terra cotta facade adjoins it on the east, and a two-story brick building adjoins it on the west. The facade is of red brick laid in a running bond trimmed with Bedford stone. The building is given a simple Neo-Classical treatment through a simple limestone cornice supported at each end by stone brackets, and very stylized stone panels inset between second floor windows. The limestone cap across the top of the facade was covered by a metal strip when the roof was replaced several years ago. Other detailing on the facade is created by panels of decorative brick patterning. The upper floors are symmetrical, with six windows on each floor grouped in three sets of two. Ten of the twelve are the original double-hung wooden sash. The two missing windows were on the second floor and were removed to install window air conditioners. Two replica windows have been crafted to replace the missing ones.

The J.W. Garner Building is significant as one of only two remaining symbols of Ottumwa's once flourishing wholesale trade. Jarrett Wesley Garner (1849-1942) arrived in Ottumwa with his family in 1858 and within five years he became involved with the dry goods business, employed by Thomas Devin & Sons as a clerk. The dry goods business filled an important niche in mid-19th century life. Although some men's clothing could be purchased "ready-made", this was before manufactured clothing became widely available for women and children, so most family clothing was “made to order,” either by the wife, or by a local seamstress. Dry goods stores carried all the necessary supplies for this including fabric by the yard, thread, ribbons, and lace. Often the stores carried boots and shoes as well. In 1869 Garner joined Lawrence & Chambers as a partner in their dry goods business, and around 1875 he embarked in business by himself becoming J.W. Garner & Company.

At first Garner’s business was located above several different businesses in downtown Ottumwa, but in 1883 he moved into quarters at 108 North Market Street. He remained in the Market Street building until the construction of his own building at 222 East Second Street in 1911. Garner continued his dry goods business in this building until 1936, when he was 87 years old. Following the closing of Garner Dry Goods, the Ottumwa Beauty Academy opened in the first floor of the Garner Building. The training part of the academy was in the east half, while recent graduates of the school worked in the Courtesy Beauty Salon in the west half of the building. The Beauty Academy purchased the building in 1944 from Garner’s heirs and remained in the building until 1986.

The J.W. Garner Building is also significant as a Neo-classical building designed by Ottumwa architect George M. Kerns. Kerns was a strong proponent of the simplified modern design that dismissed the elaborate detailing of the late 19th century Italianate commercial buildings with their decorative cast hoodmolds, denticulated brickwork, and heavy metal cornices. He favored the use of different colors of brick, simple flat designs created by brick patterning such as basket-weave and herringbone, and the use of small inset stone panels to highlight architectural elements. Often, as in the case of the Garner Building, he incorporated these materials and patterns into simplified Neo-classical designs for commercial and public buildings.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

3. J.W. Garner Building

Excerpt:  Built in 1911, the J.W. Garner Building is the work of local architect George M. Kerns. The three-story red brick structure with limestone details exhibits a subdued Neoclassical style. The windows on the second floor are grouped into bays divided by brick pilasters with two windows per bay. The third-floor windows have no such division and have a limestone belt course for their sills. There is a simple cornice near the top of the facade. The building was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. In 2016 it was included as a contributing property in the Greater Second Street Historic District.