Hotel Iowa, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Lee County, Iowa
Hotel Iowa is a seven-story building in downtown Keokuk built in the early 1900s following Chicago School architecture. The structure features reinforced concrete columns and floors, brick and decorative tile exterior, large windows, and a distinctive decorative line running between the sixth and seventh floors.
A hospitality building occupied this site from the 1850s until a fire severely damaged it in 1928. The owners then commissioned the H. L. Stevens Company from Chicago to rebuild the structure using fireproof materials and Chicago School design, which shaped the building as it stands today.
Hotel Iowa takes its name from the state and historically served as a gathering place for travelers and locals in downtown Keokuk. Its interior lobby displays Art Deco details with geometric patterns and murals that reflect the artistic tastes of the early 20th century.
The building is located on Main Street in downtown Keokuk and is easy to access on foot. The ground floor houses shops and offices that offer insight into the structure, while the exterior clearly displays its architectural features.
The building originally had an illuminated crown on its roof that was visible from far away at night, highlighting the hotel's elegance. Though no longer lit, the crown remains a distinctive feature of Keokuk's skyline.
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