The settlement-era stone building tradition of Madison County (Iowa) is significant for its historical association with the early development of that county, and for its remarkable representation of a local though intense vernacular stone building tradition. Under Criterion A, these buildings speak directly to the theme of the first settlers in the area, as well as to the theme of the unusual number of stone masons who actually built in stone. Under Criterion C, this range of buildings, cutting across class lines, functional type, presents a significant and well preserved array of recurring forms and plan, with identifiable designs and treatments which are attributable to specific master masons. The buildings and structures included in this thematic package further represent a surprisingly large proportion of the total number of stone buildings and structures known to have existed. This high survival rate, with relatively minimal alteration over time, makes this an important and measurable Iowa vernacular resource. The loss in recent years of a number of stone buildings calls for their recognition and protection.
Stone building tradition is closely associated with the early settlement of Madison County and the cities of Winterset and Earlham. Many of the early settlers were people of considerable wealth who hired stone masons to build houses and other buildings for them soon after they arrived. Home building and the construction of numerous public buildings, including two courthouses, attracted a large number of stone masons to the county in the 1850's and 1860's.
Above extracted from the National Register MPS Form prepared by Roslea Johnson: research and text, and Daniel J Kammerer: National Register Intern; State Historical Preservation Office, 29 September 1987 - NPS| Data | |
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