Sioux City History and Culture by Bicycle Part 122: William L. Steele Part 17: James P. Newton House

In 1909 James P. Newton hired architect William L. Steele to design his home. Complete with the large overhangs and beautiful exposed rafter tails and trusses. Newton was President of Haskin Bros, & Co. His company was the first and only soap manufacturer in Sioux City making nationally famous “Trilby” and “Peek-a-Boo” brand soaps.

Steele was living in Sioux City for about 5 years when he designed the Newton House. It is one of his earlier designs during his incredible and impressive career in NW Iowa.

Located at 2312 Nebraska St., the house is on the National Register of Historic Sites;
Newton, James P., House and Maid Cottage (added 2000 - Building - #00000154)
2312 Nebraska St., Sioux City
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Steele, William I.
Architectural Style: Bungalow/Craftsman
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Domestic
Historic Sub-function: Single Dwelling
Current Function: Domestic
Current Sub-function: Single Dwelling

Here are photo's of the house as it looks today. These photo's were taken in the summer of 2008, I do not know if the clock is original to the house or not, or if it was added later.;




Not only did William L. Steele design the main house but he also designed the maid cottage that sits just behind the larger main home. Of course over the years modern amenities have been added to both structures and things that have been damaged, worn out or have rotted have been replaced. Modern heating and cooling, gutters, garage doors, windows, entry doors, etc. Even so, a majority of the original design remains on both homes, one has to look pretty hard to see the changes made over the 100 years the houses have been standing. The current owner owns both the main house and the maid cottage. The maid cottage is rented out. I had the pleasure of meeting, and talking with the gentleman who rents the maid cottage as he was walking up to the door when I was taking photo's from the public alley between Nebraska and Jackson Streets. I did not get his name but I believe he is a college student, he had an arm load of books. He is aware that the house was originally the maid cottage. I gave him a brief overview of the history of the two homes and to look for this blog post and asked if he would advise the owner as well.

This is the second home that I know of that William L. Steele designed that has either maid/servent's quarters or a maid cottage. The first that I know of is the H. H. Everist House.

Here are the photo's taken in March of 2009 of the main house;





Here is a photo taken in March of 2009 of the maid cottage;


Information about the James P. Newton House was obtained through research at the Pearl St. Research Center, Sioux City Public Library and the National Register of Historic Places web site. The current photo's of the house were taken by me with a digital camera.

The James P. Newton House is a privatley owned home. For those that visit, respect tresspassing laws and only view the home from the public sidewalk, roadway or alley. Do not enter the property with out permission. To obtain permission it is probably ok to walk up the front walk and knock on the door or ring the doorbell. Photographs can be taken of the house, but only from the public roadway, sidewalk or public alley. If the owners are outside the home when photo's are being taken do not include people in the photo. This is an invasion of privacy.

No part of this or any blog, past, present or future may be used with out the express written permission from the blog author. If you wish to use any part of this blog or any blog post please contact the author at; freemasoncyclist@gmail.com