FOR SALE: Yelland House (1910)
Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:44 am
Photo: https://is.gd/8XqsNU
VIDEO: https://cicada.aryeo.com/videos/1a2f8b0 ... ad7f4221f9
REALTOR.COM LISTING: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandho ... 7121405261
For Sale: THE YELLAND HOUSE
A Prairie Style Home in Mason City’s Architectural Hotbed
37 River Heights Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
You could become the next steward of this historic piece of Mason City’s architectural history. Built in 1910, The Yelland House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s chief draftsman, William E. Drummond, and is located in the desirable River Heights neighborhood, just across the Foot Bridge (on the south side of Willow Creek) and just a short walk to the library, museum, churches and the downtown.
In 2010 this Prairie Style home was completely restored and sensitively updated throughout. NEW insulation, roof, windows, floors, and interior trim have been added all with distinct design & purpose. Custom kitchen, updated bathrooms, along with new electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling system, a freshly painted exterior complete with an oversized two-stall garage. Updated, yet historically preserved at the same time.
For anyone with a love of architecture, here is a chance to own one of the premiere Prairie Style homes that our community has to offer. It's gorgeous, it's move-in ready and along with gaining a home, you will also gain a community of amazing historic preservationists as neighbors and friends.
This home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
$329,000, 3BR, 2BA
_______________
The successful buyer is offered a 69-piece collection of historically appropriate Prairie/Mission/Arts & Crafts style furniture, lamps, and rugs for $20,000 under a separate contract. Some pieces designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
_______________
YELLAND HOUSE FACT SHEET
Built circa 1910
The Architect
William E. Drummond (1876-1946)
Drummond, the son of a carpenter, worked for Wright, both full-time and part-time, from 1899 until 1909. In Mason City he worked as Wright’s on-site construction supervisor of the City National Bank and Park Inn Hotel (1909). He went into private practice in 1909 when a dispute over pay caused him to leave permanently. From 1912 until 1915 he formed a partnership with Louis Guenzel, a draftsman from the office of Adler and Sullivan. He returned to independent practice and designed primarily smaller churches and residences in the Prairie style along with a commission to design a new clubhouse for the Riverside (IL) Golf Club. He played an active role in the planning commission of his hometown of River Forest, IL throughout the 1920s and 1930s, while also providing remodeling services for several of Wright’s designs. Shortly before his death in 1946, he published a book detailing a plan to redesign the United States Capitol.
The Style
The Yelland House (1910) design was inspired by both Walter Burley Griffin’s Peters House (1906), which had an L-shaped open floor plan around a central fireplace, and Wright’s Fireproof House for $5,000, which was published in the April 1907 issue of the Ladies Home Journal. Both Griffin and Wright designed dozens of homes with this floor plan, including the Stockman House (1908) in Mason City. Other Prairie School architects, including William Drummond and John VanBergen, designed numerous variations of this popular plan which was a more creative alternative to the classic American Foursquare House which was popular from 1890-1930. The Yelland House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The Original Owner
G. Curtis Yelland (1886-1938)
Yelland was a newsstand/bookstore owner in Mason City. When Joel Hanes joined him their new firm was renamed Yelland and Hanes, which now included office supplies. After several ownership and name changes it became the current Office Elements. Curtis and his first wife, Gladys (1884-1959), had a daughter, Virginia (1916-2011). His second marriage was to Annie (1893-1938), the local librarian. They had two daughters, Georgia (Nelson) and Isabel (Denham). Isabel lives in Maine and we have corresponded with her on numerous occasions.
The Other Owners
Robert & Henrietta Armstrong (1915-1933)
Lester & Beulah Armstrong (1933-1939)
Mack & Mary Haney (1939-1944)
Donald & Margaret Giesen (1944-1990)
John & Jacqueline Conway (1990-2006)
John Westfall (2006-2009)
Jeff & Jessica Tierney (2009-2011)
Paul & Sandy Ringstrom (2011-present)
The Fire
On December 8, 2008 the Yelland House experienced a devastating fire possibly caused by burning candles left unattended on the screened rear porch of the house. The fire consumed the rear of the house, the roof, and most of the interior before being brought under control. The house remained exposed to the weather, without a roof, for a year while disputes with the insurance company and the city were resolved. The house was within 45 days of being demolished. The city was convinced to hold off on demolition by Roger Bang (owner of the J.G. Melson House) and Bob McCoy (owner of the J.C. Blythe House). In the end, the owner took the insurance money and sold the property to a local contractor, Jeff Tierney, who faithfully restored the house.
The Changes
After the fire the interior was completely gutted, in 2008, and rebuilt using the original blueprints. The radiators were removed, a forced air HVAC system and insulation were added and custom thermopane windows were installed. Paul Borntreger, an Amish carpenter, was hired to recreate the glass-doored bookcases, dining room buffet, butler’s pantry and interior trim and millwork. He also designed and built the kitchen cabinets to match. The kitchen was enlarged by two feet to the south and reconfigured to allow room for a table and modern appliances. In 2012 several updates were made. The original built-in bench along the north living room windows was not re-constructed but was replaced by open bookcases. The sidewalks along with the stairs and walkway to the house were also replaced. A raised planter by the front door, a tile floor in the lobby, new landscaping, and an extension to the shared garage was built.
VIDEO: https://cicada.aryeo.com/videos/1a2f8b0 ... ad7f4221f9
REALTOR.COM LISTING: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandho ... 7121405261
For Sale: THE YELLAND HOUSE
A Prairie Style Home in Mason City’s Architectural Hotbed
37 River Heights Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
You could become the next steward of this historic piece of Mason City’s architectural history. Built in 1910, The Yelland House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s chief draftsman, William E. Drummond, and is located in the desirable River Heights neighborhood, just across the Foot Bridge (on the south side of Willow Creek) and just a short walk to the library, museum, churches and the downtown.
In 2010 this Prairie Style home was completely restored and sensitively updated throughout. NEW insulation, roof, windows, floors, and interior trim have been added all with distinct design & purpose. Custom kitchen, updated bathrooms, along with new electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling system, a freshly painted exterior complete with an oversized two-stall garage. Updated, yet historically preserved at the same time.
For anyone with a love of architecture, here is a chance to own one of the premiere Prairie Style homes that our community has to offer. It's gorgeous, it's move-in ready and along with gaining a home, you will also gain a community of amazing historic preservationists as neighbors and friends.
This home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
$329,000, 3BR, 2BA
_______________
The successful buyer is offered a 69-piece collection of historically appropriate Prairie/Mission/Arts & Crafts style furniture, lamps, and rugs for $20,000 under a separate contract. Some pieces designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
_______________
YELLAND HOUSE FACT SHEET
Built circa 1910
The Architect
William E. Drummond (1876-1946)
Drummond, the son of a carpenter, worked for Wright, both full-time and part-time, from 1899 until 1909. In Mason City he worked as Wright’s on-site construction supervisor of the City National Bank and Park Inn Hotel (1909). He went into private practice in 1909 when a dispute over pay caused him to leave permanently. From 1912 until 1915 he formed a partnership with Louis Guenzel, a draftsman from the office of Adler and Sullivan. He returned to independent practice and designed primarily smaller churches and residences in the Prairie style along with a commission to design a new clubhouse for the Riverside (IL) Golf Club. He played an active role in the planning commission of his hometown of River Forest, IL throughout the 1920s and 1930s, while also providing remodeling services for several of Wright’s designs. Shortly before his death in 1946, he published a book detailing a plan to redesign the United States Capitol.
The Style
The Yelland House (1910) design was inspired by both Walter Burley Griffin’s Peters House (1906), which had an L-shaped open floor plan around a central fireplace, and Wright’s Fireproof House for $5,000, which was published in the April 1907 issue of the Ladies Home Journal. Both Griffin and Wright designed dozens of homes with this floor plan, including the Stockman House (1908) in Mason City. Other Prairie School architects, including William Drummond and John VanBergen, designed numerous variations of this popular plan which was a more creative alternative to the classic American Foursquare House which was popular from 1890-1930. The Yelland House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The Original Owner
G. Curtis Yelland (1886-1938)
Yelland was a newsstand/bookstore owner in Mason City. When Joel Hanes joined him their new firm was renamed Yelland and Hanes, which now included office supplies. After several ownership and name changes it became the current Office Elements. Curtis and his first wife, Gladys (1884-1959), had a daughter, Virginia (1916-2011). His second marriage was to Annie (1893-1938), the local librarian. They had two daughters, Georgia (Nelson) and Isabel (Denham). Isabel lives in Maine and we have corresponded with her on numerous occasions.
The Other Owners
Robert & Henrietta Armstrong (1915-1933)
Lester & Beulah Armstrong (1933-1939)
Mack & Mary Haney (1939-1944)
Donald & Margaret Giesen (1944-1990)
John & Jacqueline Conway (1990-2006)
John Westfall (2006-2009)
Jeff & Jessica Tierney (2009-2011)
Paul & Sandy Ringstrom (2011-present)
The Fire
On December 8, 2008 the Yelland House experienced a devastating fire possibly caused by burning candles left unattended on the screened rear porch of the house. The fire consumed the rear of the house, the roof, and most of the interior before being brought under control. The house remained exposed to the weather, without a roof, for a year while disputes with the insurance company and the city were resolved. The house was within 45 days of being demolished. The city was convinced to hold off on demolition by Roger Bang (owner of the J.G. Melson House) and Bob McCoy (owner of the J.C. Blythe House). In the end, the owner took the insurance money and sold the property to a local contractor, Jeff Tierney, who faithfully restored the house.
The Changes
After the fire the interior was completely gutted, in 2008, and rebuilt using the original blueprints. The radiators were removed, a forced air HVAC system and insulation were added and custom thermopane windows were installed. Paul Borntreger, an Amish carpenter, was hired to recreate the glass-doored bookcases, dining room buffet, butler’s pantry and interior trim and millwork. He also designed and built the kitchen cabinets to match. The kitchen was enlarged by two feet to the south and reconfigured to allow room for a table and modern appliances. In 2012 several updates were made. The original built-in bench along the north living room windows was not re-constructed but was replaced by open bookcases. The sidewalks along with the stairs and walkway to the house were also replaced. A raised planter by the front door, a tile floor in the lobby, new landscaping, and an extension to the shared garage was built.
. The entry tile is simply perfect, and quite similar to Martin, is it original?