Built c. 1875-1880 MPS Davenport MRA Added to NRHP 27 July 1984 | Architectural style McClelland Front-Gable NRHP Reference # 84001333 | |
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Location 929 College Ave.
Davenport, Iowa | ||
The George Copeland House is located on the east side of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The residence has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984.
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Architectural Significance
The George Copeland House is an unusual version of the two story, three bay, front gable form that is found throughout the older areas of Davenport, Iowa. Its chief distinction is the way in which the exterior wall panels are "recessed" through application of corner piers and also how this method of construction is used to create a "pediment" in the front gable end. The result is a stylized, almost abstract, impression of the temple form Greek Revival. This articulation of exterior walls into panels was a common feature of 19th century industrial structures in Davenport but extremely unusual in the area of domestic building.
Historical Data
George E. Copeland resided in this house beginning in 1888, although the house appears to have been built somewhat earlier. Copeland was a member of the Davenport Academy of Sciences.
Copeland was born in Middlebury, Vermont on May 28, 1857. In his early career he was in the railroad industry and with the Internal Revenue Service. In 1884 he formed Copeland & Post which grew into a large life insurance practice with The Equitable of New York. Copeland & Post covered a large part of Illinois. He then worked as a general agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company in Davenport from January 1, 1886 to May 1, 1893.
In 1893 Copeland went to Northwestern headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. September 1, 1894 he became second assistant superintendent of agencies and then on January 9, 1903 was promoted to assistant superintendent of agencies. On June 13, 1916 he was elected superintendent.
George E. Copeland died in 1927.
Today, the George Copeland House sits on the southeast corner of College Avenue and 10th Street near the Village of East Davenport. According to the 1892 Sanborn insurance map, today's 10th Street was previously 3rd Avenue. The Copeland House is in the Mount Ida historic area, part of the larger Bridge to Ridge historic area of Davenport.