Jay Funeral Home

The Jay Funeral Home is a two-story brick building with Mediterranean Revival styling in Ottumwa. It features round arch windows, a clay tile roof, and a wide brick entrance canopy that serves the front facade.

The building was constructed in 1929 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Its design by architect Archie Eaton represents a moment when Midwest builders adapted Mediterranean style for local construction.

The building shows how funeral services were conducted in the early 1900s through its thoughtful layout of spaces designed for ceremonies and gatherings. Its Mediterranean style creates an appropriate setting for these important moments in community life.

The building stands within the Fifth Street Bluff Historic District and is easy to spot from the street. Since it operates as a working funeral home, visitors should be mindful and respectful during any visit.

Architect Archie Eaton designed this building as a fusion of Mediterranean revival elements adapted for Midwest funeral practices, an unusual stylistic choice for this type of business in the region. This combination of ornamental southern features with practical function stands apart from typical local architecture.