The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-04-10
"OLD STREET HOUSE,
Removal of a Landmark Calls
Up Interesting Past.


place to the New Lacey Hotel has
caused some of the old citizens to
grow reminiscent. The recalling of
the days of the building of this old
mansion takes one back into the
ante bellum days snd some of the
early history of the city OF Osksloo-
ga.
William B, Street was an Indian
agent who was in Oskaloosa in the
early days, in charge of the affairs
of the government for this 10.
ility. He was the son of j. M
Street whose name has recently been
connected with the history of the
grave of Chief Wapello. The Street
family was well to do" indeed, &C.
cording to the measurements of that
day. Mrs. Street one day in running
over the pages of an almanac came
upon the picture of a house that just
pleased her fancy. The family had
been discussing the advisability of
having home in the city of Oska-
loosa, one that might be an honor to
the name of Street as we'll as credit
to the city. The mansion pictured
on the pages'o of the almanac was an
ideal home and perfect in all ways.
After many family councils aud re.
peatedI arguments it was decided
that the new home should be erected
If it was possible to find builders suf-
ficiently skilled tC put up such a
wonderful house. Tobias Leighton,
now deceased, and j. O. Myers, now
residing on COL Third avenue east,
were called in and consulted and
were asked If they could build q
house so grand as that. Plans we're
secured and after duet and careful
consideration the gentlemen took
the contract and started upon the
work. The building of the house
was the wonder of the day. People
came from miles to watch the pro-
gress of the wonderful house. There
was not another such place in all the
state at that time. Much of the mat
erial was hauled to the city from a
distance and all of the framing sash
doors and mouldiDgs were hand
made. The walls were OF brick rest
ing upon great solid foundation
that would have withstood the chal-
lenge of the ages. The walls we're
raised to a height of two and half
stories. The house had innumerable
rooms and closets and was indeed q
mansion for that early day. 1t was
of imposing architecture and occu-
pied commanding position upon
large lot 1t was generally admired
and talked about far and near 80
that travellers came to the little town
just to see the residence CT which SO
much bad been said. The house was
completed about the year 1857 and
had cost $40, 0VO.O0.
The "Street residence" was the
center of the social fe of the day
and many now residents of the city
have enjoyed the genial hospitality
of that roof tree. The Streets occu-
pied the place about forty-five years
and during this time it's hign ceilings
its spacious Railways, and CHEEKY fire
places were known to the people
generally. The most noted people
of the state and many of national
prominence have been sheltered and
entertained therein. 1t is likely that
more noted personages have been
beneath that roof than any other in
che city.
The property passed into the hands
of Milton Crookham. In 1884 the
Arlington hotel property was cree
ted on the north of the property and
it was later made part of the hotel.
Mr.. w. r. Lacey acquired the prop
erty and for term of years it has
continued as the Hotel Lacey. The
building is now being removed to
give place to more modern and
more pracIlcal structure.
An old citizen the other day in
watching the progress of destruction
and leveling of the old palace, re-
marked: swell l declare, young
man, when that old house was put
up it had everything in the line of
luxury and convenience that hearts
desire or that unlimited wealth could
suggest. 1t was looked upon as a
wonderful place and here in less
than half century we zee the ideal
of those old times demolished be-
cause it is not modern. | wonder
what you young men are to witness
within the next five decades of your
existeDcel wonder II your ideals
are to perjsh as this fne old mansion
Is replaced.n