The The Colonel William T and Elizabeth C Shaw House is locally significant because of its architecture and for its association with the life of Colonel Shaw, a person significant to the historical development of the town of Anamosa. Architecturally, the house is the only example of Italian Villa design in Anamosa and the surrounding community, and, except perhaps for the Iowa State Reformatory Complex, it is the closest approximation to high style architecture in the community. The quality of design, materials, and setting suggest the involvement of an architect or a skilled builder utilizing plans extrapolated from a pattern book or periodical (Historic Preservation Bureau 1987). The identity of the designer or builder is not known, but it is very possible that Iowa architect, William Foster, who was designing the main building at the reformatory (then known as the Additional Penitentiary) the same year that the Shaw House was being built, may have had a hand in the Shaw House design. Shaw himself was an experienced building contractor in Anamosa and was likely involved in the actual construction through the hiring of local builders and supervising the work. Italian Villa houses of this design quality in Iowa were more commonly located in the river towns, and despite the best efforts of their designers, were never quite able to convey the rural aspects associated with the style's origins quite like this example does (Ibid). In a historical context, the house is significant because of its 37 year association with Colonel William T. Shaw, who, according to a contemporary, had more to do with the material growth and development of the town than any other citizen during his residence of fifty-six years in our midst (Anamosa Eureka 1909). The house is associated with Shaw's productive post-Civil War years when he played a major role in Anamosa's commercial and residential construction, banking interests, industrial development and promotion, and political service including stints as the first mayor of Anamosa and as a State Representative. The period of significance begins with the construction of the house in 1872 and ends with Shaw's death on April 29, 1909. During this period, the house served as Shaw's principal residence and as a physical representation of his prominence and influence in the Anamosa community.. - NRHP, 15 October 1992