West Chester (Chamberlain Mansion, Des Moines, Iowa)

West Chester, also known as the D.S. Chamberlain House and Wesley Acres, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Designed by Boston architect William George Rantoul, it is considered an excellent example of Jacobethan Revival architecture in the city.[2][3] It was featured in a couple of publications after its completion. The inspiration for the house's design were the half timbered homes in Chester, England.[3] It features five gables and dormers on the main facade that rise above the ridged roofline and three tall chimneys with separate shafts for each flue.[3] There are two gabled wings on the south elevation of the house. The second floor has six bed & breakfast rooms.[3][4]

West Chester
West Chester (Chamberlain Mansion, Des Moines, Iowa) is located in Iowa
West Chester (Chamberlain Mansion, Des Moines, Iowa)
West Chester (Chamberlain Mansion, Des Moines, Iowa) is located in the United States
West Chester (Chamberlain Mansion, Des Moines, Iowa)
Location3520 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa
Coordinates41°35′0.8″N 93°39′52.4″W
Area1.3 acres (0.53 ha)
Built1901–1903
ArchitectWilliam George Rantoul
NRHP reference No.84001304[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 19, 1984

Original owner

David S. Chamberlain moved his patent medicine business[5] to Des Moines in 1881, and it grew to become one of the five largest pharmaceutical and toiletry manufacturing firms in the United States.[2] Chamberlain lived in a farmhouse on the property when this house was built from 1901 to 1903. Chamberlain built the D.S. Chamberlain Building in downtown Des Moines, Iowa as a speculative venture in 1917. Chamberlain also built the Chamberlain Hotel[6] located at 7th and Locust Streets in downtown Des Moines. The hotel was built on the former site of Plymouth Congregation Church. The hotel occupied the south side of the site of the current Ruan Center. According to a divorce settlement reported in the Iowa Bystander, "The Chamberlain hotel, recently erected at a cost of $300,000 becomes the property of Mrs. Chamberlain upon the payment of her of about $2500."[7]

Later occupants

In 1947, five retired Methodist Clergy couples moved into the home and the South Iowa Methodist Conference established Wesley Acres, Inc. as a faith inspired, not-for-profit, mission to serve older adults.[8] The front yard, drive and the house are what remain of the estate. The rest is taken up by newer construction including the Wesley Life campus. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.[1][3]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. James E. Jacobsen. "West Chester". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-10-19. with photo(s)
  3. Duncan, Jim (August 2, 2023). "Historic surprises — Two Iowa legacies morph deliciously". CITYVIEW (www.dmcityview.com) website. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  4. "Welcome to the Chamberlain: Chamberlain Bed and Breakfast". Wesley Life website. August 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  5. "Chamberlain Med. Co". Old Main Artifacts. University of Illinois. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  6. "Chamberlain Hotel". Drake Univ. Digital Collection. Drake University. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  7. "Divorce". Iowa Bystander. December 30, 1904. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  8. "Our Story, Wesley Life" (PDF). WESLEYLIFE.org. Wesley Life. Retrieved 26 October 2021.


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