C. R. Joy House

The C. R. Joy House was a Queen Anne style residence in Keokuk, Iowa. The building featured a corner tower, walls of light buff sandstone, and multiple cross gables extending from a central hipped roof.

Built in 1897 using designs by architect George Franklin Barber, the house served as a private home until Clyde Royal Joy sold it to the Madden family in 1945. The property stood until it was destroyed by fire in 2018.

The refined interior details showed how wealthy families in the region displayed their social standing through their homes during the late 1800s. Such decorative choices reflected the tastes and values that mattered most to prosperous Midwest residents of that era.

The property once occupied about 2 acres with views toward the Mississippi River on Grand Avenue. Visitors should know the building no longer stands, but the historical site remains accessible for viewing from the surrounding area.

The house contained an unusual interior tower roughly 11 feet (3.4 meters) in diameter, serving as a distinctive architectural feature. The entire foundation was constructed from locally quarried stone, demonstrating the use of regional resources in its building.

Location: Iowa

Architects: George Franklin Barber

Architectural style: Queen Anne style architecture

GPS coordinates: 40.40444,-91.37611

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:25