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The
Howes Building was built in 1900 by E.M. Howes, local jeweler, realtor
& developer.
Exerpts
from the State Historical Society of Iowa listing of the National
Register of Historic Places in 2004:
National
Register of Historic Places - The Howes Building
419-425 Second Street South, Clinton
The turn-of-the-century Howes Building in Clinton
is significant for its association with Edward Howes, a prominent
citizen and relentless promoter of his community. After purchasing
a prime lot in downtown Clinton, Howes hired friend and local
architect Josiah Rice to design a three-story Classic Revival
style building. Construction was complete in 1900, but it quickly
became apparent that more space was needed. In 1905, a fourth
story was added and that same year, the newspaper declared the
Howes building “one of the finest and most commodious
blocks to be found in Eastern Iowa.” The contributions
of Edward Howes to the City of Clinton are evident through local
historical annals. He was a two-year mayor of the City of Clinton,
a member of the Board of Directors of the Clinton YMCA, and
a Knighted Commander of the Court of Honor by the Scottish Rite
Masons.
Excerpts
from the Clinton Herald by Warren Kitts - Oct. 23, 2004
"Renovation of the Howes building
will begin in about three weeks."
That comment came from Sam Erickson,
vice president of Community Housing Initiatives immediately after
a project launch ceremony late Friday morning October 23, 2004.
The $2.7 million Howes project will restore the facade and convert
the upper three stories of the building into 19 one-and two-bedroom
affordable apartment units. Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce President
Dennis Lauver greeted guests to the invitation-only ceremony,
held on the fourth floor of the building. Lauver thanked Downtown
Partnership Director Steve Bamman for his leadership and work
over the last several years. Bamman and other officials have created
an environment that has led to the private and public sector investing
in the downtown area, Lauver said, and through those efforts said
"we're starting to see the rebirth of downtown buildings."
Lauver said the Howes family should be commended and congratulated
for its vision, participation, and agreement to work with CHI,
the state of Iowa and others to make "today" happen. Lauver also
thanked elected officials, Iowa Sens. Bryan Sievers, R-New Liberty,
and Roger Stewart, D-Preston, Iowa Rep. Polly Bukta, D-Clinton,
and the Clinton City Council for their efforts in the project.
Clinton Mayor LaMetta Wynn, speaking on behalf of the city, expressed
gratitude to the Howes family for undertaking the project. Consultants
told city officials years ago that when retail business left the
downtown area, they should be replaced with housing, Wynn said
Mayor LaMetta Wynn and Steve Howes capped the ceremony by driving
sledgehammers through the second floor walls of the building.
Iowa Finance Authority awarded tax credits to Community Housing
Initiative to develop affordable housing in the upper floors of
the Howes Building. R & S Properties initiated re-development
of the Ankeny Building. Façade committee opened the grant application
process to encourage revitalization of downtown buildings. The
development of quality affordable housing in under-utilized upper
floors of buildings is under-way with the recent $3.2 million
redevelopment of the Van Allen Building. The Howes Building is
next in line for renovation. Approximately $2 million will be
invested to create 19 new apartments.
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Phillip
Howes
became a resident of
Clinton, Iowa
in 1859
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From
1879 History of Clinton County by L. P. Allen
PHILIP HOWES, proprietor
of Howes' Nurseries and Gardens, Camanche avenue; is a native
of Bristol, England, and came to America when only 6 years of
age; he lived in Schuylkill Co., Penn., until 1849, then lived
in Indiana three years and returned to Pennsylvania, and, on the
2d of March, 1852, he married Esther Waters, and they came to
Chicago the same year; he lived there and in Aurora, Ill., until
1855, and was in the employ of the C., B. & Q. R. R. he came to
Clinton in 1859 and ran on the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad;
he continued in the train-service of the railroad until June,
1872, when he gave it up and engaged in the fruit and nursery
business; he owns thirty-six acres of land, finely improved with
fruit and ornamental trees and small fruits. Mr. Howes was left
an orphan at an early age, and had to depend upon himself; he
began railroading in 1849, and has succeeded by his own efforts;
has held the offices of Town Trustee and Alderman. They have nine
sons and two daughters-Edward M.,
Archie F., Thomas, William, Philip, George W., Richard N., Benjamin,
John Lewis, Elizabeth and Esther.
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