Gruwell and Crew General Store

The Gruwell and Crew General Store is a restored commercial building with wooden ceilings, floors, and walls topped by a false-front facade along Main Street. The interior spaces preserve the appearance of a typical 1800s shop with original structural elements intact.

The building was constructed in 1894 by Mayor S.C. Gruwell and J.C. Crew and housed multiple different businesses, including a music shop, a harness shop, and a shoe repair service. The structure was later converted into a museum to preserve the story of local commerce.

The store reflects how people in this region shopped and conducted business during the 1800s. The items on display show what products mattered to local residents and how commerce shaped daily life back then.

The building is centrally located in West Branch and easy to reach on foot, sitting along Main Street next to other historic structures. Visitors should keep in mind that hours may be limited and a reservation is recommended.

The building fell into critical condition over the decades but underwent extensive restoration work to recover its original craftsmanship. The restoration effort today shows how challenging it was to bring such old structures back to life.

Location: Iowa

GPS coordinates: 41.66806,-91.34694

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:04