Ankeny in Polk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Marts/Neveln/McCleary House
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
1. Marts House Marker
In 1905, John Marts built this home at 410 South Ankeny Boulevard. John's daughter, Bertha, and her husband E.W. Neveln (former Superintendent of the Ankeny Public Schools) lived in the home from 1921-1943. Later, the Abel T. McCleary family lived there for almost 50 years and they were the last family to occupy the home.
In 1995 the 90-year-old house was scheduled to be demolished to make room for commercial development. Members of Ankeny Area Historical Society met with the then-owner of the home, developer Bud Wiuff, to develop a plan to save the home. Efforts to preserve the home led to over $100,000.00 in cash and in-kind donations.
With these donations, on August 20, 1995, the home was moved to land leased to The Ankeny Historical Society by Ankeny Community School District. 301 SW School Street now serves as the permanent location for the Ankeny Area Historical Society.
Erected by Ankeny Area Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is August 20, 1995.
Location. 41° 43.765′ N, 93° 36.217′ W. Marker is in Ankeny,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Des Moines. 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "The Bell" (a few steps from this marker); Why a Barn Style Museum? (within shouting distance of this marker); Town Square (approx. 6.4 miles away); Big Creek Schoolhouse (approx. 6.4 miles away); Polk County Freedom Rock (approx. 7.1 miles away); Ida B. Wise Smith (approx. 8.1 miles away); Paint It Black (approx. 9.2 miles away); Laos (approx. 9.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ankeny.
Also see . . . Ankeny Area Historical Society.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
2. Marts House Marker
Marker is to the left (on handicap ramp) of the House Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
