West Branch Grows, 1851-1874

For thirty-six years Dr. L.J. Leech, a Civil War veteran and graduate of Iowa State University, had lived in the Laban Miles House next door; renting it at first in 1884, and then buying it two years later when the bank foreclosed on the home. By 1920, the well-liked country doctor and Iowa legislator decided to have a new home built for himself.

Hannah Varney built this house in 1899 shortly after divorcing her husband. The West Branch Times described the house as being of "fine appearance and finished in modern style."

Amanda Garvin was a single 35-year old woman when she bought this property in 1870 for $90.00. She had this cottage built by 1872. The Garvin house is a wonderful example of the Gothic Revival style with its steeply pitched roof, gingerbread bargeboard trim, and ornamental arches framing the open front porch.

Charles E. Smith was a carpenter and a Civil War veteran. In 1903, he completed his dream home for himself and his wife, Deborah, atop Cooks Hill where each spring, he would tap his maple trees to make maple syrup. The National Park Service relocated it near Herbert Hoover's birthplace in 1969.

In 1870, Laban Miles had married Hulda Hoover’s younger sister, Agnes Minthorn, just five days after Hulda and Jesse Hoover were wed. By 1875 they were settling down in this house, built sometime between 1869 and 1872, with a family of their own.

Isaac Miles was a widower with two young daughters when he moved to West Branch in 1874 and opened a drugstore. Isaac's daughters, Providence and Abbie were around the same age as the Hoover children, and it's likely they played together in this rural playground filled with natural wonders.

The P.T. Smith House is the only house that Herbert Hoover remembered when he visited West Branch many years later.

In the years following his presidency, Herbert and Lou Hoover restored the president's humble birthplace, which he called, "physical proof of the unbounded opportunity of American life." The small space and few material possessions reflect an ethic of thrift. The cottage was a typical starter home for a young late 19th century family. Antique furnishings represent common household items of a simply furnished two room rural home.

In 1869, carpenter David Mackey, who designed and built this humble two-story home. The cheerful yellow house would have been a familiar landmark to the young Herbert Hoover. The young widower, one of the town's few Democrats, was elected the Mayor of West Branch in 1879.

In 1873, J. M. Wetherell sold two lots to Mary Wright. She owned the property for the next 48 years. Her husband, William “Billy” Wright, owned a blacksmith shop at the southwest corner of Main and Poplar streets. Perhaps the competition from neighbor Jesse Hoover, Herbert’s dad, was what led Billy to sell his business in 1875 and open a harness and boot shop.