205 E Main St.

205 East Main was built in 1870 for the Iowa National Bank. It is the oldest remaining purpose-built
bank building in Ottumwa. The bank's executive offices were here on the second floor. It remained a
bank until 1927 when the bank moved down the street to 219 East Main.

By the 1990's, 205 and 207 East Main (both owned by the same individual) had badly deteriorated, and
were purchased by Ottumwa Progress Inc., with plans to demolish both buildings to make way for
either surface parking or new construction. With encouragement from Josh Gettings on the buildings' potential,
Paul and Sally Gettings purchased the buildings and set in motion the rehabilitation of the two
properties, otherwise these historic buildings would likely no longer exist.

Around 2004, Josh began intial demo of 205's second floor, with the goal being to eventually make it
into his personal residence while keepong the historic character of the space. At the time, there were
very few upper-story apartments in existence downtown, so, as he worked on the space, he was
frequently asked, “Why would you want to live downtown?” His answer, “Why not?”

Much blood, sweat, tears, and money has gone into the space you see by the Gettings Family, and it
remains a work in progress, but, upon moving in January 1, 2006, it instantly felt like “home”, and
continues to be a labor of love.