Oakes-Wood House, historic building located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States
The Oakes-Wood House is a two-story brick residential building in Iowa City constructed in the Italianate style, featuring a distinctive T-shaped footprint. It displays typical characteristics of that architectural period: a low roof with wide eaves supported by decorative brackets and three tall brick chimneys.
The house was built in 1858 by Nicholas Oakes, a pioneer of local brick manufacturing, during the height of Italianate architecture in the United States. Grant Wood, a prominent artist, lived in the building from 1936 until his death in 1942 and created significant works there.
The house is named after Nicholas Oakes, an early brick manufacturer, and later Grant Wood, a regional artist whose creative vision shaped the space. The location represents the connection between craft tradition and artistic production that matters to Iowa City's identity.
The house is located on East Court Street within the Longfellow Historic District, an area with other mid-19th century structures. Visitors can view the facade and architectural details from the street and explore the building as part of a larger historic neighborhood.
Grant Wood created significant paintings at this house, including works that became central to regional American art, and experimented with lithography techniques within its walls. The location serves as a reminder of how artistic practice and historic craft architecture converged in a single Iowa City neighborhood.
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