Hotel Greenfield
a.k.a. Greenfield Hotel; Old Hotel
110 E. Iowa St., Greenfield, IAThe Hotel Greenfield is locally significant under Criterion A (History Community Development) for its association with community efforts to make Greenfield a full-fledged county seat community in terms of the commercial amenities (a modern hotel being one of these). The hotel represents the successful result of a long-struggling local collective effort to provide a quality hotel. A modern hotel was one that offered sufficient first-class housing for important community visitors; provided a restaurant and public meeting quarters (including a sampling room that was convenient and adequate for serving local businesses), and a convenient location and reasonable fire protection. Greenfield had other private hotels, all of the frame construction, but these could be best classified as boarding houses. This hotel building was the only physical manifestation of a community-wide booster and fund-raising effort. The other hotels were of short duration and none of the other hotel buildings survive. Greenfield is a smaller county seat community, but it was able to boast of a very substantial and modern hotel facility as a result of the movement to establish one there.
A building of this scale also warranted securing the services of an out-of-town architect, William Gordon, and a skilled contractor who was also a stranger to the town. No claim is made for significance under Criterion C, Architecture, despite the fact that the building does constitute a well-preserved and simplified example of the Classical Revival/Commercial style. No claim is made on behalf of the significance of the architect, although the building is the only known hotel design that can be credited to architect Gordon. If and when more is known about the complete corpus of the architect, such a claim could be potentially made. The period of significance is restricted to 1920, the year during which the building was placed in service. The significant date is also 1920, for the same reason.
Local significance of the building:
A building of this scale also warranted securing the services of an out-of-town architect, William Gordon, and a skilled contractor who was also a stranger to the town. No claim is made for significance under Criterion C, Architecture, despite the fact that the building does constitute a well-preserved and simplified example of the Classical Revival/Commercial style. No claim is made on behalf of the significance of the architect, although the building is the only known hotel design that can be credited to architect Gordon. If and when more is known about the complete corpus of the architect, such a claim could be potentially made. The period of significance is restricted to 1920, the year during which the building was placed in service. The significant date is also 1920, for the same reason.
Community Planning And Development
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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Iowa was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, but it wasn't until 1833 that the first permanent settlement was established in what is now the city of Burlington.
About Adair County
Adair County Timeline
Adair County, located in Iowa, has a rich history dating back to its early settlement in the mid-19th century. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, namely the Sauk and Meskwaki. The first European presence came in the 1830s with the establishment of a trading post. However, it wasn't until the 1850s that permanent settlements were established by white settlers.
Adair County was officially organized in 1851 and named after John Adair, a prominent Kentucky governor and U.S. Congressman. The county experienced rapid population growth during this time, with immigrants from the eastern United States and European countries moving in to take advantage of the fertile farming lands and economic opportunities. Additionally, the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further spurred development in the area, facilitating transportation and trade.
Agriculture has always been a significant economic driver in Adair County. Farmers primarily cultivated crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Livestock farming also played a crucial role, with cattle and hog production becoming important sectors. The county's agricultural output continued to expand, and improvements in technology and irrigation methods further boosted productivity.
Throughout its history, Adair County has faced challenges, including extreme weather events such as floods, tornadoes, and droughts. The Great Depression of the 1930s also impacted the county's economy, leading to significant population decline. However, the resilience and determination of the residents helped the area recover and prosper in the subsequent years.
Today, Adair County thrives as a vibrant community with a diverse economy. While agriculture remains a vital industry, the county has also seen growth in manufacturing, education, healthcare, and tourism sectors. With its rich history and commitment to progress, Adair County continues to be a place where both residents and visitors can enjoy a high quality of life.
Adair County was officially organized in 1851 and named after John Adair, a prominent Kentucky governor and U.S. Congressman. The county experienced rapid population growth during this time, with immigrants from the eastern United States and European countries moving in to take advantage of the fertile farming lands and economic opportunities. Additionally, the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further spurred development in the area, facilitating transportation and trade.
Agriculture has always been a significant economic driver in Adair County. Farmers primarily cultivated crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Livestock farming also played a crucial role, with cattle and hog production becoming important sectors. The county's agricultural output continued to expand, and improvements in technology and irrigation methods further boosted productivity.
Throughout its history, Adair County has faced challenges, including extreme weather events such as floods, tornadoes, and droughts. The Great Depression of the 1930s also impacted the county's economy, leading to significant population decline. However, the resilience and determination of the residents helped the area recover and prosper in the subsequent years.
Today, Adair County thrives as a vibrant community with a diverse economy. While agriculture remains a vital industry, the county has also seen growth in manufacturing, education, healthcare, and tourism sectors. With its rich history and commitment to progress, Adair County continues to be a place where both residents and visitors can enjoy a high quality of life.
Adair County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Adair County, Iowa.
- 1851: Adair County was officially established.
- 1853: The first recorded settlement, called Adair City, was established.
- 1855: The county seat was temporarily moved to Fontanelle.
- 1855: The county seat was permanently established in Greenfield.
- 1890: The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad reached Adair County.
- 1895: The Creston and Northern Railway was built through Adair County.
- 1912: The Orient Railway was extended into Adair County, providing another transportation route.
- 1945: The Greenfield Municipal Airport was established.
- 1980: The Van Meter State Park was officially dedicated.