Emma J. Harvat and Mary E. Stach House

The Emma J. Harvat and Mary E. Stach House is a two-story Colonial Revival residence in Iowa City with wide sash windows and a centered bay window above the entrance. The interior is organized around a stair hall that connects dining and living spaces to the upper floor, which contains four bedrooms.

The house was designed and built in 1919 by architect Orville H. Carpenter. One of its residents later became the first female mayor of Iowa City.

The house reflects early 20th-century ideas about domestic life, with rooms designed for social gatherings and entertaining. The residents used it as a center for their business activities and community involvement in the city.

The house is located on East Davenport Street and is recognizable from the street. Note that it is a private residence and interior access is not generally available, so viewing from outside is the typical approach for visitors.

The residents operated a successful women's clothing store together during the early 1920s. This business venture was unusual for the time and showed the independence and entrepreneurial spirit of both women.

Location: Iowa

GPS coordinates: 41.66597,-91.53042

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:03