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1-Bevington-Kaser Mansion This elegant 1856 home sits on a hill on the south edge of Winterset and overlooks the town. The house consists of nine rooms, with all-brick construction on a limestone foundation. The bricks were made in the brick yard of the owner, Charles D. “Doc” Bevington. The walnut for the woodwork came from the hillside below the house. Bevington settled in Winterset in 1853 after going to California in the Gold Rush of 1849. He was one of the wealthiest men in central Iowa and owned over 4,000 acres of Madison County land. In 1857, Bevington’s third wife (of four) died, and he sold the house to Judge John A. Pitzer, another prominent figure in Madison County history. Bevington bought the house back in 1859, and it remained in his possession and that of his daughter, Lida May (Mayme) Smalley, until 1934. The house was a gift to the historical society from June Kaser, a former historical society president, and the last occupant of the house. It has been restored and furnished in Victorian richness and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In days gone by, many Madison County children spent winter days sledding down the northeast section of the yard, affectionately known as “Mayme’s Hill.” The railroad came to Winterset in 1872 and the depot first sat in the east part of town. It was moved to two blocks north of the courthouse square in 1909. The depot was an exciting place to be before automobiles and airplanes came into fashion. Store owners would leave from here to go on buying trips to the East, where they saw the latest products to order for sale in their shops. Families would gather here to tearfully send their sons and fathers off to World War I, and to meet them when they returned. For many years, the train was the only means of transportation to Des Moines. In addition to railroad memorabilia inside the depot, a model railroad is set up outside the building and serves as a site for gatherings of railroad enthusiasts several times a year. Moved to this site in 1984, the depot was restored in 1991. Built in 1881, the church was moved to the complex in 1988 from its original site in Scott township, about three miles southeast of Winterset. Zion Church was federated in 1920 and the pastor was Rev. Theodore Marning. The church sanctuary holds about 80 persons and is frequently used for weddings and other group events. The church basement is available for rental, and is the site of socials and the Madison County Historical Society’s annual Soup Supper in March. See rental information below. This neighborhood grocery store was moved to the complex from its first location in northeast Winterset in 1986. It was a gift of the Field family. The store was built in the mid-1920s by Ancil (Deacon) and Nellie Field with the help of Deacon’s brother, Ernie. It sat at the corner of 8th Street and East Filmore. Before large supermarkets were in vogue, there were several small stores similar to this one around town. Some of the items sold were boxes of penny candy, pickles from a barrel, various canned goods, cans of lard, cigarette papers, tobacco, and 100 pound bags of sugar and flour. A typical purchase was 5 cents worth of flour and 10 cents worth of sugar. There was also bread, cookies, potatoes, onions, eggs, and canned milk. The Driscoll family delivered ice for the store’s ice box. Behind the store was a tank of kerosene for sale. Nellie was a busy, well-liked woman, who extended credit to customers who were in good standing. The store was also a gathering place for Deacon’s racoon hunting friends in the winter. After the store closed in the early 1940s, several families rented the building as a residence. It had electricity, but no modern facilities. The renters carried water from the well at the Field’s house next door, and also used their privy. This limestone barn was built in 1856. In the 1880s draft horses, bred by Dr. Bevington, were housed in the stone barn. During the first seven months of 1889, thirty-five train carloads of twenty horses each (seven hundred in all, at an average of $125 per horse) were shipped out of Madison County to eastern markets. Some of Dr. Bevington’s horses were undoubtedly included in these shipments. RENTALS: The Zion church offers a quiet country setting for the romantic bride and groom. The church sanctuary can be decorated as much or as little as you like. The basement offers a space for receptions and includes a kitchen area. Other locations and set-ups (such as tent space) are available as well. Call (515) 462-2134 for more information.
50% deposit plus damage deposit is required at the time of reservation. ($100 damage deposit will be held & refunded after final approval) |
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Stone Barn