Max Petersen House

The Max Petersen House is a residence constructed in 1888 that features a stone foundation, high hip roof, projecting gable ends, and a turret topped with a conical roof. The structure occupies a small lot and now functions as part of the Marycrest Senior Campus on West 12th Street.

The house was designed in 1888 by architect Frederick G. Clausen for Max Petersen, whose family transformed his father's retail business into the Von Maur department store chain. It became part of Marycrest College in 1939 and took on new purpose as an educational institution's property.

The house became home to a religious community of sisters when it joined Marycrest College, reflecting how the building adapted to serve women's education in the region. This transition shows how private residences often took on new cultural roles in their later years.

The house sits on West 12th Street in Davenport and is now part of an active senior living campus. Visitors should know the property is inhabited and only the exterior is readily viewable from the street.

The structure displays large decorative dentils along the cornice line and detailed brickwork that reveal the craftsmanship of late 1800s construction methods. These ornamental details were typical of Queen Anne style and showcase the careful hand work that went into its creation.

Location: Iowa

Architects: Frederick G. Clausen

Architectural style: Queen Anne style architecture

GPS coordinates: 41.53056,-90.59917

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:45