1600-20th Street

In 1907, Stuart Harper and his wife Grace Velie Harper had this home and carriage house built. Described at the time in The Argus as "stucco, graceful in style of architecture", it cost $35,500 (Construction of the 6-story Safety Building during the same year cost $150,000.) The second owners, I. S. and Margaret White named the property "The Lindens" when they purchased it in 1909. It became the parish house for the First Lutheran Church in 1948, when the carriage house was transformed into the church.

This rambling two-story home is considered to be of the Prairie style because of its overall form, but it also has Craftsman and Colonial Revival details such as the knee brackets on the square-columned porte-cochere and "modillions" or flat brackets above and below the second story on the home's front gable.

Inside, the Prairie influence is most apparent in the original library with its dark oak woodwork, bookcases and leaded casement windows. Stylized butterflies highlight the fireplace mantle.

Rich mahogany woodwork throughout is panelled in Gothic arches. Windows have 6-8 panes in the upper sash over single-paned lower sashes. Don't miss the Prairie style stained glass window on the main stairway as well as the stunning dining room chandelier.

You may be surprised that the interior emphasizes the south rather than the potential of a panoramic view to the north. This emphasis is particularly apparent on the second floor, where the north-facing windows are in bathrooms, closets, or other utilitarian areas.

Don't miss the rear tile patio with its original Prairie style lanterns. Then walk across the lawn and peek through the trees (see any lindens?) for a river view.