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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.




ERNEST M. PORTER-581 CLARKE

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Photo in 2010.

ERNEST M. PORTER HOME. One of the earliest QUEEN ANNE ARCHITECTURE homes to be built in Dubuque, the residence belonged to Dr. Ernest M. Porter, a local dentist and racing enthusiast whose horse "Major" was a popular local harness racer. Construction of the home began in 1873, but the depression of that year stopped work. Dr. Porter and his wife, a sister of the second of the Mrs. Lucius Langworthy, lived in the partially completed building until it was completed in 1875. Porter lived in the home until his death in 1887.

A lengthy article on the house appeared in the June 17, 1934 issue of the Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal. Known locally as "the house of dentists", the house did not include the wing extending out the right rear of the building. This was added by a later owner. Although added later, the addition followed every detail of the plans of the original part even to the degree of the use of colored glass.

The unique name for the house came from the fact that all four sons of Dr. Porter and his wife became dentists. In 1934 two were still practicing their profession, one in Napa and the other in San Francisco, California. His other two sons, who had died by 1934, had also lived in San Francisco.

When Dr. Porter died in 1887, the house and adjoining lands were purchased by J.P. Schroeder, the son of Frank SCHROEDER, who enlarged the house adding a spacious dining room which formed the first floor of the addition. Schroeder gradually sold off the adjoining land as "Schroeder's Addition." The home was then purchased by William A. Hammond, another real estate speculator.



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Source:

Dubuque City Assessor

Dubuque City Directory

Old House Enthusiasts online