Montauk, Italianate mansion in Clermont, United States.

Montauk is a two-story, 14-room Italianate mansion on a hill northeast of Clermont, Iowa. Milwaukee architect E. Townsend Mix designed it, with bricks kilned at Clermont and stone quarried at the nearby Williams Quarry. Wooden porches and a widow's walk capping the hip roof complete the house.

William Larrabee had Montauk built in 1874, hiring Milwaukee architect E. Townsend Mix for the two-story, 14-room Italianate house. Larrabee served 18 years in the Iowa Senate and two terms as governor, campaigning against railroad rate abuses that helped lead to the Interstate Commerce Commission. After his second term he retired here; he died in 1912, and the family kept the house until deeding it and 40 acres to Iowa in 1976.

The interior contains paintings from the period that reveal how a wealthy family lived during the 1800s. These artworks reflect the tastes and social standing of the household in its time.

The house is open to visitors from late May through early September during midday and early afternoon hours, with reduced autumn access. It is best to check exact hours before visiting since timing varies by season.

The name Montauk references a lighthouse on the eastern coast and was chosen by Mrs. Larrabee, who deliberately selected the elevated hilltop location to avoid malaria exposure. This blend of inspiration and practical health concern shows how architecture served both aspiration and protection.