501 North 6th Baldwin House

William W. Baldwin (1845 – 1936, Mr. Baldwin obtained his law degree from Iowa Law college, and later became the land commissioner for the Chicago, Burlington, Quincy Railroad Company. He served as president of the school board of Burlington for many years and was also a trustee for the public library.

The house was built in 1892, this Queen Anne home is a 2 story brick with a multiple gable roof line, slate shingles on the main roof and in the gable ends. The brick used has a smooth texture and fine mortar joints. Window openings are edged with curved, pressed brick that turn into the window frames. Other features include a polygonal dormer, a first floor curved brick bay with pressed brick. Slate shingles overhangs the first floor and extends into the gable. The use of croisette (cross) and other transomed windows on the first floor shows some influence from the‘chateauesque style, as does the use of slate, the nigh pitched roof, and the curved brick which enhances the massive character. Originally the house featured a semi—circular porch with turned spindles which extended across the east facade from the entry south, a smaller second floor balcony above it, a porch in the southwest corner also with spindles, and a back porch. In 1971 the front and back porches were removed; the second floor balcony was simplified and retained with a small entry porch beneath it. 'The porch on the southwest corner is now enclosed. A low limestone retaining wall surrounds the half block and is interrupted here for east and south side entrance steps and iron gates. The location of the east side steps was changed at some early date. An 1896 photo of the Baldwin home shows the east side steps still in their original location.