Gen. Samuel R. Curtis House

Congressman, engineer, U.S. Army major general, and Keokuk mayor Gen. Samuel R. Curtis (1805-1866) built this historic home in 1849. Curtis was one of the leading figures in Iowa during the 19th century. He is best known for his role at the Battle of Pea Ridge in 1862 and the Battle of Westport in 1864, both of which resulted in Union victories. As for the house, in addition to its association with Curtis, it is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture with elements of the Adamesque style included in the design. It features a large porch with Ionic columns, diamond-paned windows on the second floor, and decorative garland. The house is privately owned but is open to the public as an Airbnb rental. According to the Airbnb listing, President Abraham Lincoln dined and stayed overnight at the house.

Samuel Curtis was born on February 3, 1805 in Champlain, New York and four years later moved to Ohio with his family. As a young man, he attended the West Point military academy where he studied engineering. After graduating in 1831, he was assigned to the 7th infantry and stationed at Fort Gibson in present-day Oklahoma. In November that year he married his wife, Belinda. In 1832, Curtis resigned his commission and moved to Ohio where he studied law and worked as an engineer on the National Road, which was the first major highway built by the federal government, and the Muskingum River hand-operated lock system. He was admitted into the bar in 1841 and practiced in Wooster, Ohio, and also became involved in the Whig Party. During the Mexican-American War began, he commanded the 3rd Ohio volunteer regiment and served as military governor of occupied Mexican cities.

After the war, Curtis became the city engineer of St. Louis where he oversaw the construction of the sewer system that was used for 150 years. He then moved with his family to Keokuk in 1853 and continued practicing law. He also became more involved in local politics and was elected mayor in 1856. In the fall of that year he was elected as a Republican to his first of three terms in Congress. During his time in office, he supported the idea of a trans-continental railroad and was ardent opponent of slavery and its expansion into western territories. After the outbreak of the Civil War, he resigned from office and became colonel of the 2nd Iowa volunteers.

Smith, Maxine. "Gen. Samuel R. Curtis House." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. April 23, 1998. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/98000384_text.