Historic house tour part of Davenport’s 175th birthday bash

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Those who love the past and historic houses will want to start their engines and head off to a home tour, part of the 175th birthday of Davenport.

The Gold Coast & Hamburg Historic District Association has five houses ready for viewing Sept. 24-25 for its Built to Last: Jewels of the Gold Coast tour. The renovated homes were built between 1867 and 1894. Their styles range from Davenport’s Two and a Half to stately Queen Anne.

The historic district itself covers more than 25 blocks from Fifth to Ninth streets and Ripley to Vine streets, just above downtown Davenport.

On the tour are:

n The Struck Home, 614 W. Fifth St., cost $2,100 when it was built in 1877 for Henry Struck Jr. He worked for the Davenport Savings Bank. The home houses Café d’Marie and an apartment upstairs.

n The Stoltenberg home at 911 W. Seventh St. was built around 1870. For 20 years, its beauty was boarded up, but now it shines after a 14-month renovation.

n The Bindschaedel/Isabel Bloom home, 927 W. Eighth St., also is an 1870s home. It was once the house of artists John and Isabel Bloom. Over a span of 140 years, the home has had six owners. It’s the only house on the tour that has been a single-family home during its entire history. The house was built for Peter Bindshaedel, a carpenter.

n The Witt home is at 604 N. Gaines St. This house was built around 1892 and was in the Gaines family for 40 years. Oddly enough, in the mid-20th century, the home was listed with 11 different addresses.

n The Goldschmidt/Voss home was built around 1882. It’s at 625 Scott St. The house was the home of Charles Voss, a German emigrant. One of its features is a wrap-around porch and a view of the Mississippi River. During its history, it housed several apartments, but for the last 20 years, its current owner has been restoring it.

Also open during the tour is the German American Heritage Center at 712 W. Second St. and the Jipp Center, built around 1868 at 730 Gaines St. The Jipp Center is the home of the Architectural Rescue Shop. Admission to the heritage center is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children 5 to 17. Café d’Marie will be open, too, for those wanting something to eat or drink.

Tickets for the house tour can be purchased at any of the five homes.

Now that it’s fall, celebrate the new season and satisfy curiosity by exploring these historic buildings.

If you go

What: Gold Coast & Hamburg Historic District's historic home tour, Built to Last; Jewels of the Gold Coast

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24, and 1 to  4 p.m. Sept. 25

Where: Gold Coast & Hamburg Historic District, Fifth to Ninth streets, Ripley to Vine streets

Cost: $10 for adults. Children 12 and younger may tour at no charge if accompanied by an adult.

Information: Visit www.davenportgoldcoast.org or contact Marion Meginis by email at meginnis@msn.com or 563-326-3290.