Van Allen Building
The Van Allen Building is a four-story commercial structure at the corner of Fifth Avenue and South Second Street in Clinton, Iowa, designed by architect Louis Sullivan. The exterior features dark gray brick with purple undertones, horizontal terra cotta bands, tall narrow windows framed with black marble on the ground floor, and decorative terra cotta medallions with plant motifs running across three upper stories.
The building was constructed between 1912 and 1914 and is now over a century old. In 1976, it received designation as a National Historic Landmark, an honor reserved for places of exceptional historical importance to American architecture and urban development.
The building honors Dutch heritage through decorative tile panels in blue and white that reflect Van Allen's family origins. These details connected the store to the community's identity and gave the place personal meaning beyond its role as a shopping destination.
The building sits at a prominent street corner in downtown Clinton and is easily accessible on foot. The ground floor with active shops provides a natural entry point for exploring the site, while the architectural details can be admired from street level.
During construction, Sullivan reportedly sat on a keg of nails across the street and directed the work hands-on, a rare glimpse into the architect's dedication to his designs. This personal involvement shows how intensely Sullivan shaped his masterpiece.
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