This building, which is still used as the courthouse, is typical Victorian architecture with wrought iron trim and a belfry. The four-sided clock is readily noticeable to anyone entering Bloomfield from any direction. The courthouse is striking in appearance and full of personality, even after serving the public for over 100 years.
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Weaver House – 102 Weaver Road |
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The north side of Bloomfield is graced by the General James B. Weaver home. The Weaver House has served as a Bed & Breakfast by the last two owners.
General Weaver bought the land for the house about 1865 and it is believed that it was erected soon thereafter. The house is of the Gothic Revival architecture and is described as an inverted L-shaped, two-story, red brick structure with a single story rear ell. The most distinctive features of the dwelling are the one-over-one center-pointed sash windows in the Gothic style on the two story portion. The main entrance to the house leads into a hallway. To the left, a room that served as a library fills the west end of the structure. To the right a large parlor extends some 30 feet through the full length of the north-south transverse. Behind the parlor are a modern kitchen, a dining room, and an added sun room. The entry hall stairs lead to the second floor where there are three bedrooms and a bath.
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Davis County Historical Society Museum |
Former home to Dr. William Findley, built in 1844, is now inhabiting several collections and historical monuments. Since the Davis County Historical Society was incorporated in 1962, the complex has grown to include 5 buildings: the two-story brick Findley home, the Mormon log cabin, the Livery Barn, Wheeler Ridge School House, and most recently the Savannah Christian Church.
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Green Leaf Place |
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Opened for business as a bed and breakfast in 2007 The Green Leaf Place is one of Bloomfield's important historic properties. Built in the English tudor style with natural brick and oak trim in 1912 by Henry Clay Taylor, the original lot was 1¾ a. in size and included the presently standing two-story carriage house.
Henry C. Taylor was born on January 17, 1859 in Davis County, Iowa. He was educated in Davis County schools including the Southern Iowa Normal School. (That school's building was adapted to become the present Gilfillan Clinic Building). He studied/read law at the State University and was admitted by practice in June, 1888. He went into partnership with F.W. Eichelberger until the latter went on the bench and then joined H.C. Traverse until Traverse retired. It was then that he and James McGowen started the bank on the southwest corner of Bloomfield's square known as the Taylor-McGowen Bank. (That building still has the bank vault on the second floor and is the current location of Bloomfield Main Street's office.)
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Davis County Tourism and Crafts Center |
Iowa Welcome Center
Davis County's official Iowa Welcome Center, located three blocks north of Bloomfield's Square on Highway 63, is staffed seven days a week to direct visitors to local sites of interest, great restaurants, lodging facilities, and other businesses.
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Steckel House - 415 N. Madison |
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Built in 1910 for W. J. and Belle Steckel by Weitz Construction of Des Moines, this Colonial Revival style home was designed like a Revolutionary War era home Mrs. Steckel admired in Philadelphia. The amazing aspect of this home is that while the exterior façade is very traditional, harkening back to the Georgian style of architecture of colonial America, the interior featured the distinctive arts and crafts style that was sweeping across the county at the time. While on board a ship bound for Europe to avoid the construction of her home, Belle Steckel met Gustave Stickley and Elbert Hubbart, two arts and crafts artisans of the day. She telegraphed back to Bloomfield to halt interior construction.
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Mars Hill Church preservation is locally significant because it is one of Iowa's few remaining hand-hewn log structures that authentically represent the early pioneer beginnings of Iowa State history.
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Goode House - 402 Goode Street |
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Built by L.E. and Rosy Goode, this sprawling Queen Anne inspired farmhouse was completed in 1910. The barn, directly beyond the house, dates back to 1900 and remains a prominent part of the property. The original farm consisted of 43 acres which was purchased in 1894 for $600.
In the prime of his life, L.E. Goode was a highly successful furrier and businessman in the Davis County area. He married Rosy Gravitt in 1891 and years later built a home that could accommodate their ever-growing family. L.E. and Rosy had 15 children, with all but three surviving infancy. If that wasn’t enough, each of the children’s names began with a 'D'.
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Known as one of the earliest schools of higher education west of the Mississippi River, this hidden treasure was established in 1853. Serving as a historic and monumental landmark for education in Davis County for over 150 years, the academy is located in the heart of Troy and has been restored to its original schoolroom style.
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Wishard-Squire House - 406 W Jefferson |
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The Henry Wishard house at 406 West Jefferson is the only private residence in Bloomfield listed on the National Historic Register. The house is owned by Richard and Nancy Squire.
The late Victorian, Queen Anne style home was begun in 1908 by Wilbur CarrolI, a builder for Henry Wishard. The architect is unknown. The facade shows many examples of textures, colors, and designs of brickwork constructed with masterful craftsmanship. It has a limestone foundation, sandstone ledges, and copper flashing.
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Stringtown Stagecoach House |
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This 1832 New England double Salt Box Style building was a former stagecoach stop. Stringtown was the first town in Davis County. |
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