The Fort Dodge Culvert Company had its original plant at 529 N. 7th St., only a short distance from the Fort Dodge Baseball Park where the city’s Central Association League teams played their games. Carter was secretary-treasurer of the culvert firm.
From culvert manufacturing the company expanded into the steel and iron business and operated under the name of Fort Dodge Culvert and Iron Mills Company. The office was at 14 S. 6th St., plant and steel mill at 624 N. 7th St. Carter was president of the firm; C. E. Kitchen, vice president; and R. M. Stevens, secretary-treasurer. In 1923 the company again changed its name to Fort Dodge Culvert and Steel Company with Carter as president; J. W. Amond, vice president; W. L. Tang, secretary-treasurer; and W. G. Warner, sales manager. The business continued in operation until about 1927.
A. R. Williams, Fort Dodge realtor, purchased the Carter residence in 1938 and the Williams family resided there for many years. The house is now owned by Williams’ widow, Irene M. Williams and apartments are rented out.
THE GADD HOME
The Gadd home
710 Elizabeth Avenue
One of the early residences constructed in Snell Place after it was platted was this large and comfortable home. Located at 710 Elizabeth Ave., it was built in 1920 by C. W. Gadd, a well-known Fort Dodge banker.
The two-story red brick house with red tile roof and white wood trim faces the northeast in an attractive setting surrounded by an expanse of green lawn, shrubbery and flower beds. At the rear of the house is a screened-in patio.
Gadd purchased the building lot in 1919 and the following year erected the residence which was occupied by his family until 1928. The home was then sold to J. B. Butler and the Gadds moved into an apartment. A short time later the house was purchased by Charles F. Isaacson, Fort Dodge merchant—one of the organizers of the Gates Store here. The Isaacson family owned the property until 1970 when it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Dale C. DeFoe who presently reside there with their family. DeFoe is owner of DeFoe Motors.
The home has spacious rooms including a living room that extends across the front of the house, solarium, dining room, kitchen and half bath on the first floor; four bedrooms, two full baths, playroom and den on the second floor.