Terrace Hill

Terrace Hill is a large Second Empire mansion in Des Moines built between 1866 and 1869, spanning three stories and overlooking the city. The building features a distinctive tower and mansard roof, with numerous rooms that show how wealthy residents lived during the 1800s.

A wealthy businessman had the building constructed during the post-war era to display his fortune. Later, another family purchased it and lived there for decades before it eventually became the governor's official residence.

The house served as a home for multiple generations of wealthy families and shows how the upper class of the 1800s lived and used their spaces. The rooms on the first floor were designed for formal entertaining and reflect the lifestyle of that era.

Access is only possible with prior registration, as visits are organized through guided tours. It helps to check in advance which parts of the house are open to visitors and what days tours are available.

A stained glass window in the entrance hall was added by a businessman who purchased the house in the early 1900s and left his personal mark on the property. This detail shows how different owners left their traces throughout the building.

Location: Iowa

Inception: January 1, 1869

Architects: William W. Boyington

Address: Grand Avenue

Opening Hours: Montag-Freitag 08:30-16:30

Phone: +15152817205

Website: https://terracehilliowa.org

GPS coordinates: 41.58333,-93.64889

Latest update: December 8, 2025 23:30