The house has foundation walls of solid granite blocks two feet thick. Oak woodwork was used throughout the house and floors are solid oak, an inch in thickness. First floor of the house has living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, large music room and half bath. The upstairs has four bedrooms, sewing room and full bath. A porch extends across the south and east sides of the house.
Socrates G. Stevens, who established the Douglas Township farm, was born in North Carolina in 1811. Married in 1835 he and his wife came to Oskaloosa in 1856 and the following year began their farming career in Webster County. Their daughter, Mary, was 15 years old when she came to Iowa with her parents. She completed schooling in Oskaloosa and after coming to the Fort Dodge area was a school teacher for 22 terms.
Following the death of her mother in 1888 Miss Stevens quit teaching and remained at home and helped to operate the farm. She was reputed to be one of the most efficient business women of Webster County and after the death of her father in 1901 she successfully carried on the farm operations.
Ownership of the house and surrounding farmland was transferred to Harriet Ainsworth after Miss Stevens’ death in 1929. In 1939 the property was bequeathed to Sterling Ainsworth. For a time in the early 1930s the house was leased out and the Red Feather Inn, a popular dining place, operated there.
THE E. F. ARMSTRONG HOME
This large residence at 1302 10th Ave. N., was one of the first constructed in the Crawford-Armstrong Addition to the city after it was platted in 1910. Built in 1911 by E. F. Armstrong, a well-known pharmacist and drug company officer, the house remained in possession of the Armstrong family until 1948.
The Armstrong home
1302 10th Avenue North
It was then sold to Dr. J. J. Foley, a Fort Dodge dentist. Following his death the home was acquired by Arthur H. Johnson and his wife, Ann. The Johnsons completely remodeled the house giving it a traditional and attractive English style of architecture.
The first floor has living room, family room, dining room, kitchen and half bath; the second floor three bedrooms and two full baths. The third floor has a large bedroom, walk-in storage closet, two double closets with sliding doors and a built-in chest of drawers. A large recreation room is located in the basement, complete with sauna bathroom, full bath and laundry.