E.S. Hayhurst House

The Hayhurst House is similar to the Staples House on Poplar Street.

"The Hayhurst House," painting by Heather Heckel

Quick Facts

Location:

West Branch, Iowa

Significance:

Part of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

Amenities

1 listed

Audio Description

In 1870, real-estate developer J.M. Wetherell sold three lots to E.S. Hayhurst. Hayhurst built his house here in 1872. Unfortunately, Hayhurst and his family were only able to call this place home for less than a decade. When they couldn't make the payments, the mortgage was foreclosed and the family left town in 1878. Ever the businessman, Wetherell repossessed the lots and turned the house into a rental property.

• Subdivisions & Mortgages

  
  

  In 1870, real-estate developer J. M. Wetherell managed to sell three lots to E.S. Hayhurst for $325.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS

  Date created:

  06/22/2010

  Audio Transcript

  In 1870, real-estate developer J. M. Wetherell managed to sell three lots to E.S. Hayhurst for $325. This cream-colored house with brown trim, completed in 1872, has an open porch with machine-turned posts framed by decorative brackets. Three steps span the full width of the entryway. Notice how the roof lines intersect with each other. Can you see the similarity between this 1-1/2 story T-shaped building and the Staples house at the North end of Poplar Street? It's possible that the same carpenters had a hand in building both. Unfortunately, Hayhurst and his family were only able to call this place home for less than a decade. When they couldn't make the payments, the mortgage was foreclosed and the family left town in 1878. Ever the businessman, Wetherell repossessed the lots and turned the house into a rental property.