Mount Pleasant Iowa Walking Tour

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The Ball House is an elegant and well-preserved example of Queen Anne architecture. It was built in 1892 by Dr. J.O. and Catherine Ball, who used a design created by nationally known architect George F. Barber. Barber published mail-order books containing house plans and the Balls found the design for their home in his 1891 book. The house features many decorative elements including a circular window on the second floor surrounded by three small (false) balconies, a wraparound porch, an octagonal tower topped by an "ogee" shaped roof, turned spindles in the railings, and decorative carved panels. Dr. Ball was a dentist but was also an active supporter of modernizing Mount Pleasant's infrastructure. The house continues to be a private residence.

2. Henry County Courthouse

The Henry County Courthouse was built in 1914 and continues to serve as the seat of county government. Architecturally, it is a fine, simple example of the Classical Revival style. The exterior consists of mostly smooth stone but does feature Doric columns, a pediment bearing the words "Henry County Courthouse", and a small pediment above the main entrance. The courthouse grounds include a veterans memorial and a replica of the Statue of Liberty.

3. Union Block, Mount Pleasant Iowa

Built in 1861, the Union Block building holds an important place in the history of Mount Pleasant in addition to its national significance as the served as a meeting hall for the community including abolitionists, women's rights advocates, prohibitionists, and temperance supporters. Several nationally known figures gave lectures here including Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Susan B. Anthony. In 1869, this building saw history as Arabella Mansfield became the first woman admitted to practice law by a state bar association at this site. Union Block is also significant for its Italianate architecture with a red brick exterior, arched windows with brick-patterned hoodmolds, and a bracketed cornice. Today the building includes commercial space on the first and second floors and an event venue on the third floor. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

4. Brazelton House Hotel

One of the larger buildings in Mount Pleasant, the former Brazelton House Hotel remains an enduring landmark in the city's commercial district. Built in 1856, it is the older of the two surviving 19th century hotel buildings (the other is the Harlan House Hotel, which was not originally a hotel) and is an excellent example of Italianate architecture. It is named after the Brazelton family, which was one of the city's leading families in the mid-1800s. The head of the family, William Brazelton, was one of six directors of the Brazelton House Company, whose aim was to build a large hotel in anticipation of the arrival of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad (B&MR). The building is now an apartment building called Brazelton Lofts with commercial space on the first floor.

5. Temple Theatre

Temple Theater has been an important entertainment venue in Mount Pleasant since its construction in 1923. It was built by local Masons, who met on and paid for the second floor, and the original theater owner, who paid for the theater space. The building, which was originally called the Masonic Temple Theater, is a good example of Classical Revival architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

6. Harlan House Hotel

The Harlan House Hotel is historically significant for its association with Senator James Harlan (1820-1899), who served in the U.S. Senate from 1855-1865 and from 1867-1873, and was a close friend and advisor to President Abraham Lincoln. The former hotel, which now appears to be an apartment building, consists of three sections. The original section in the center was built in 1857 as Harlan's house and the additions on either side were built later. In terms of design, the building is a good example of Italianate architecture. Its design, size and connection to Harlan make it one of the most prominent landmarks in the city.

7. Brazelton House

One of the builders of the former Brazelton House Hotel, William P. Brazelton, erected this elegant home in 1858. The Brazelton House is a fine example of Italianate architecture and continues to be one of the city's most impressive homes. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, it remains a private residence today.

8. Harlan-Lincoln House Museum

Located on the Iowa Wesleyan University Campus, the Harlan-Lincoln House Museum is one of the most historic homes in Mount Pleasant. Originally built around 1854, it has the distinction of being associated with two leading national political figures of the 19th century: Iowa Senator James Harlan and President Abraham Lincoln. Harlan, who lived in the house from 1873 until 1895, served in the U.S. Senate from 1855-1865 and from 1867-1873. Before that, he served as the president of Iowa Wesleyan College from 1853 to 1855 (he was president again from 1869 to 1870). Harlan was good friends with Lincoln, who, after being reelected for a second term, appointed Harlan as Secretary of the Department of the Interior. In 1868 Harlan's daughter, Mary, married Lincoln's son, Robert, in the house. They often spent summers in Mount Pleasant. The house is now a museum operated by Iowa Wesleyan University and features a collection of historical items including Harlan's desk, a fragment of the coat Lincoln was wearing when he was assassinated, and Mary Todd Lincoln's mourning veil.

9. Belle Babb Mansfield Monument

Located on the Iowa Wesleyan University campus, this monument commemorates women's rights activist and educator Arabella Babb Mansfield (1846-1911), who became the first female lawyer in the country in 1869. The monument consists of a statue depicting Mansfield reading a book, four historical markers in the concrete base, and four stone seats. Mansfield, whose birth name was Belle Aurelia Babb, taught at Simpson College, Iowa Wesleyan College and then at DePauw University, where she served as dean of the school of art and dean of the school of music. In 1870, Mansfield chaired the Iowa Women's Suffrage Convention. She was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1980. Artist Benjamin Victor created the sculpture.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Mount Pleasant Iowa Walking Tour

Created by Clio Admin on November 11th 2021, 7:10:33 pm.

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Description

Starting at the historic Ball House which was constructed in 1829, this tour includes stops at several historic buildings in Mount Pleasant that demonstrate the city's connection to women's rights, abolition, and influential individuals in the 19th century from local resident Senator James Harlan to Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Highlights of the tour include the Brazelton House Hotel, Temple Theatre, and the Harlan House Hotel. The tour concludes at the statue of women's rights activist Arabella Mansfield on the Iowa Wesleyan University campus.

Entries on This Tour

Mount Pleasant Iowa Walking Tour

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