HomeMy WebLinkAbout52-02800_109 E Washington_HandsJewelrySite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-02800 New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
(December 1, 1999) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Hands Jewelry Store
other names/site number O. Startsman, jewelry
2. Location
street & number 109 E. Washington Street
city or town Iowa City vicinity, county Johnson
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Original Town Block(s) 81 Lot(s) See full legal
3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section]
4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section]
5. Classification
Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site
buildings 1
buildings
structure
sites
sites
object
structures
structures
objects
objects
Total 1
Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
Iowa City Central Business District Study - 2017 UPDATE 52-127
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
02E06 COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store/jewelry store 02E06 COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty/jewelry store
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
08 MODERN MOVEMENT foundation 04 STONE
walls 03 BRICK
roof
other Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
County Johnson Address 109 E. Washington Street Site Number 52-02800
City Iowa City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates
Construction date
02 ARCHITECTURE 1868 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
05 COMMERCE 1968 - facade
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
Hansen Lind Meyer (façade) Builder
Burger Construction Co. (façade)
Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References (OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1
2
3
4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Alexa McDowell, Architectural Historian
organization AKAY Consulting date 10/2017
street & number 4252 Oakland Avenue telephone 515-491-5432
city or town Minneapolis state MN zip code 55407
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02800
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Hands Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
This two-story brick commercial building appears to have been constructed by 1868 when a jeweler was first
listed in city directories at this address. Fire insurance maps beginning in 1874 confirm the presence of a similarly
configured building occupied by a jeweler. That jeweler, Oliver Startsman, was in business in Iowa city beginning
in 1854; whether his shop was located in this building throughout that time remains undetermined. Multiple
alterations of the building and its façade occurred over the ensuing 150 years, the most recent dating to 1968
(2017).
The Hands Jewelry Store reflects a 1968 Modern design unrelated to the building’s original appearance - only the
building width (and likely its height) are representative of the original building. The storefront treatment extends
two-stories, with three round arched openings framed in an aggregate finish. An interior balustrade is visible
through the openings separating the floors; this marks the interior second floor balcony overlooking the main
jewelry floor. Round arched shop windows are placed to either side of the plate glass entrance door. The building
has a stone foundation with a mottled tan and white brick cladding. The building measures 20-ft. across the front
and has a depth of 50-ft (Svendsen, 2001).
In 2017 Hands Jewelry Store remains as previously described. As it has since 1868, the building is occupied by a
jeweler which, since 1907 has been Hands’ Jewelry Store.
Image 01. View of Hands Jewelry Store, looking south across E. Washington Street
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02800
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Hands Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 02. View of the façade (north), looking south across E. Washington Street
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
8. Statement of Significance
Although completely altered from the original, the 1968 Hands Jewelry Store is a well-preserved example of an
architect-designed commercial building representative of mid-20th century Modern architecture. While not
evaluated for individual eligibility in the present survey (examination of the interior would be necessary for a
proper determination in that regard), the building is a contributing resource to a potential historic district. Hands’
Jewelry Store is significant under Criterion A in association with the history of Iowa City commerce. The
building is particularly significant for its long time occupation of this building and extended years in business – a
remarkable and rare feat in any community. Further, the building is significant under Criterion C as an example of
Mid-century Modern commercial architecture. Note that additional evaluation may well support a case for
individual registration.
Historical Background
A building with a similar configuration and the same use as been located on this site since ca.1868 according to
city directory listings and fire insurance maps. Oliver Startsman acquired the property sometime prior to 1866 and
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02800
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Hands Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
by 1868 was listed as operating a jewelry store here. An advertisement from the October 30, 1879 Daily Press
(and reprinted in the Iowa City Press-Citizen in 1954) announced the 25th anniversary of O. Startsman, “The
Oldest Jewelry House in the City” (Figure 01). Startsman’s jewelry business was established in 1854. The store
location was noted as Washington Street (2017).
Startsman continued to be listed as such through 1904 although an awning and tent company was also listed at
109 that year. News accounts indicate that Startsman sold the business to Hand in 1907; in that year the business
name changed to Hands Jewelry Store (2017). Hands assumed the legacy established by Oliver Startsman,
considering the business as founded by Startsman in 1854, their ownership being a continuation of the original
firm.
Oliver Startsman retained ownership of the building until 1911 when property transfer records show this parcel
being transferred from the Oliver Startsman estate to Charles Startsman. The city directory for the same year lists
John Hands, jeweler and optician, at this address along with his son Harold. In subsequent years the business
operated under the style “Hands & Son” (1918) and “Hands Jewelry Store” since sometime prior to 1930. The
Hands family continued to lease this property from the Startsman family until 1961 when Charles died and his
widow, Louise, sold it to Harold and Mary Hands. The business continues to operate as Hands Jewelry Store in
2000 though ownership of both the property and the business has passed out of the family in 1976 after Mary
Hands’ death when William Nusser acquired them. Nusser continues to own and operate Hands Jewelry in 2000
(Svendsen, 2001).
In May of 1968, the store announced that a major remodeling project would be completed by year’s end. The
renovation resulted in expanded retail selling space through utilization of the second floor and basement. The first
floor became dedicated to jewelry, the second to china, glassware, and silver, and the basement to repair and
manufacturing work with an elevator connection the three stories. The business’s offices were relocated to rented
space in the adjacent Iowa State Bank building. The primary interior feature was a second floor balcony
overlooking the entrance. The project architect was Hansen Lind Meyer, an Iowa City firm responsible for a
number of downtown buildings constructed during the urban renewal era, including Meacham Travel at 229 E.
Washington Street and the Meardon Building at 122 S. Linn Street. The project contractor was Burger
Construction Co. (2017).
Figure 01. Advertisement for O. Startsman - 1878
(Iowa City Press-Citizen. November 16, 1954, reprint.)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02800
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Hands Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 02. Fire Insurance Map - 1874
(Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1874.)
Figure 03. Fire Insurance Map - 1883
(Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1883.)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02800
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Hands Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
9. Major Bibliographic References (2001)
Iowa City city directories.
Property Transfer Records, Johnson County Auditor’s Office.
Tax Assessor’s Records, City of Iowa City Assessor.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
2017: References
Holland’s Iowa City Directory for 1868-1869. Chicago: Western Publishing co., 1869.
Iowa City Public Library. Digital Photograph collection. http://history.icpl.org.
Iowa City Then & Now. Publisher unknown.
Mansheim, Gerald. Iowa City: an illustrated history. Norfolk, VA: The Donning Company, 1989.
State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowa City. Photograph Collection.
Slonneger, Marybeth. Finials: A View of Downtown Iowa City. Iowa City: Hand Press, 2015.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Survey and Evaluation of the Central Business District.” Prepared for the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission, 2001.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Hands Jewelry Store: 52-02800.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Newspapers
Iowa City Press-Citizen. Advertisement. February 22, 1947.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. Advertisement for O. Startsman (reprint). November 16, 1954.
The Daily Iowan. Advertisement for Hands Jewelry Store. August 27, 1954.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Hands Jewelry Undertakes Major Remodeling Project.” May 04, 1968.
Timeline
1868-69 O. Startsman, jewelers at “20 ss Washington nr Clinton”
1874 Fire Insurance Map: Jewelry in a 2-story building at this location
1946 City Directory: Hands Jewelry at 109 E. Washington Street. Ad: “50 years in Iowa City.”
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02800
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Hands Jewelry Store Johnson
Name of Property County
109 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Legal Description: Original Town, Block 81, Commencing at a point 77’6” East of Northwest Corner of Lot 4,
thence South 50’, East 20’, North 50’, and West 20’ to point of beginning, subject to easement. (parts of
Lots 3 and 4)
Assessor: 002+1010378029
Latitude/Longitude: 41.660209/-91.534100
Parcel Map - 2017
COLLEGE
115
110124 107CLINTONDUBUQUEWASHINGTON
118102
138
104 109
112111-117119-123125-131114 109111
114-116128132±