On a crisp spring morning, over 50 history enthusiasts gathered for a walking tour of Sioux City’s historic Heights neighborhood. Led by Tom Munson and Haley Aguirre from the Sioux City Public Museum, and organized
On a crisp spring morning, over 50 history enthusiasts gathered for a walking tour of Sioux City’s historic Heights neighborhood. Led by Tom Munson and Haley Aguirre from the Sioux City Public Museum, and organized by the Historic Preservation Commission, the tour offered a deep dive into the architectural and cultural heritage of this unique area.
Established as its own neighborhood in 1913 during a period of economic prosperity, The Heights is nestled between Grandview Park and Hamilton Boulevard. Its winding streets and diverse architectural styles reflect the city’s growth and the personal tastes of its early residents. In the mid-2000s, proposed redevelopment plans threatened to alter the neighborhood’s historic landscape, including the removal of its distinctive traffic islands. However, residents rallied to preserve the character of their community, ensuring that The Heights remains one of Sioux City’s most cherished neighborhoods.
🏡 Architectural Highlights from the Tour
1. H.H. Everist House (1916–1917)
Located at 37 McDonald Drive, this Prairie School-style home was designed by William L. Steele. Its horizontal lines and integration with the landscape exemplify the style’s principles.
2. Mylius–Eaton House (1894)
At 2900 Jackson Street, this Queen Anne-style residence features an irregular massing and a mix of clapboard and shingle siding. Designed by William D. McLaughlin, it reflects the eclectic tastes of the era.
3. Atchison A. Ashby House (1916)
Situated at 1807 Summit Street, this Tudor Revival home boasts faux half-timbering and tall chimneys with chimney pots, designed by Frederick A. Henniger.
4. Ben and Harriet Schulein House (1913)
Located at 2604 Jackson Street, this early Prairie School-style home was one of William L. Steele’s initial designs in this genre, commissioned by businessman Ben Schulein.
5. 2507 McDonald Street (1922)
Built by Norwegian immigrant Haftor Sve, founder of Sioux City Optical Co., this Prairie School-style home features low-pitched roofs and massive porch columns, emphasizing horizontal lines and harmony with the Midwestern landscape.
6. 2401 McDonald Street (1926)
Commissioned by Jacob H. Greenberg, president of Greenberg’s Jewelry Co., this Italian Renaissance-style home showcases symmetry, classical details, and grand elegance. Greenberg’s Jewelry, founded in 1900, is still owned and operated by the family today.
7. 2425 E Solway Street (1925)
Constructed by Leonard R. Manley, son of a Security National Bank founder, this Dutch Colonial Revival home features a gambrel roof with continuous dormers—a charming and less common interpretation of the Colonial Revival movement.
8. 2515 E Solway Street (1928)
Built by Howard V. Martin, youngest son of T.S. Martin, this Tudor-style residence includes decorative (non-structural) half-timbering, massive chimneys with chimney pots, a dramatic stone parapet, copper oriel window, and strapwork details. A true visual standout.
9. 20 McDonald Drive (1925)
Constructed by George R. Call, a radio pioneer who received Sioux City’s first radio transmission in 1912, this Pueblo Revival-style home features flat roofs, parapeted walls, earth-toned stucco, and rounded edges. It’s an architectural outlier that feels more suited to the Southwest—making it a unique surprise on the winding street.
10. 2705 Valley Drive (1926)
Built by Tom C. Bolton, superintendent of Davidson Bros. Department Store, this Tudor-style home has a whimsical, cottage-like appearance—complete with steeply pitched roofs, cross-gables, and a false-thatch roof variant. It looks like where Hansel and Gretel might live as adults in the suburbs.
11. 56 McDonald Drive (1914)
The oldest home in The Heights, built for Philip B. McLaughlin and designed by William Steele. This Craftsman-style house features a full-width porch, low-pitched gabled roof, and classic proportions. Original construction cost? $7,200.
🌀 Spotlight on the Baron House
2524 E Solway Street – Built 1936
One of the most iconic and visually striking homes in all of Sioux City, the Baron House is a stunning example of Art Moderne design—a rare architectural style in the region. Built by Abraham H. Baron, a member of the well-known Barney Baron family, the home features an asymmetrical façade, flat roofs, smooth stucco exterior, glass block windows, and curving walls that wrap around corners.
Over time, the house fell into disrepair after being acquired by a local fraternity and then left vacant for nearly two decades. Eventually red-tagged and slated for demolition, the property was rescued at the last minute by Kent Martin, who saw potential where others saw ruin.
Martin’s restoration revealed not just the home’s potential, but also its pedigree. He discovered that the same architect who designed the Baron House was responsible for notable Sioux City landmarks such as the Sioux City Auditorium, the Badgerow Building, and KD Station. A surprising and significant find, considering how close the house came to being lost forever.
During the remodel, Martin also uncovered an original, untouched wall mural—another unexpected treasure that is now being preserved. It’s been well over a decade since the full restoration, and the home stands today as a living monument to preservation, design, and historic character. It even appeared on a Christmas Tour of Homes years ago, where it captured the imagination of visitors and locals alike.
🌸 Preserving the Charm
The Heights’ winding roads and unique traffic islands, adorned with well-maintained flower beds, contribute to its distinct character. Thanks to the efforts of its residents, the neighborhood has retained its historical integrity, offering a picturesque and serene environment that continues to captivate both locals and visitors alike.
