James A. Beck House

The James A. Beck House is a residence built in 1896 featuring distinctive Queen Anne characteristics including a polygonal turret on the second floor and a wrap-around porch with a stone foundation. The structure stands in Fairfield as a well-developed example of residential design from that period.

The house was built in 1896 for James A. Beck, a man who made his fortune starting in the grocery business and later became successful in the hotel industry. The design came from George Franklin Barber, a respected architect whose office was based in Tennessee.

The house reflects the tastes of prosperous late 19th-century residents who sought out designs from prominent national architectural firms. The choice to hire a respected southern architecture office shows how local builders connected with national design trends.

The building is situated on East Burlington Avenue and is easily visible from the street as you walk through the neighborhood. Its location provides good viewing opportunities since the property sits within an established residential area.

The property includes a two-story carriage house from 1875 that was later renovated to match the architectural features of the main residence. This adaptation shows how the owners integrated the outbuilding into their overall design vision.

Location: Fairfield

Inception: 1896

Architects: George Franklin Barber

Architectural style: Queen Anne style architecture

Address: 401 East Burlington Avenue

GPS coordinates: 41.00694,-91.95806

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:00