T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY - Shown is the Jenny and Beau Hanson Queen Anne Victorian style home in State Center.

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth of six articles appearing in the Times-Republican featuring six historical homes in Marshall County. They are part of the Historical Society of Marshall County’s (HSMC) Oct. 6 Historical Home Tour – a fundraising effort. The article below features the Jenny and Beau Hanson home in State Center.

STATE CENTER – Not one, but two distinctive Queen Anne Victorian-style homes are part of the 2024 Tour of Historical Marshall County Homes. And both are in State Center.- one at 202 Third Ave. NW, has four-bedrooms and three baths, is owned by Jenny and Beau Hanson.

The eye-catching structure was built in 1901 by Alonzo and Mary Baker, according to research done by library/museum assistant Dorie Tammen of the Historical Society of Marshall County, the tour sponsor.

The home has had 14 owners over its 123-year-old history, including one, Mary Ann Wantz Riemenschneider, who owned it twice, said Tammen. The house is a mixture of traditional architecture with modern updates. It features parquet oak flooring in the formal dining room and kitchen.

Each interior door features a functioning transom window and radiators. The primary suite includes a large bath with a walk-in closet. Fittingly, the home was selected to be part of the HSMC’s Home Tour.

The HSMC, a 116-year-old organization charged with preserving the county’s unique artifacts, is urging residents to visit the six historic and distinctive homes Oct. 6, from noon to 5 p.m.

The event will be held ‘rain or shine’ according to Julie Lang, home tour coordinator and HSMC board member.

“Jenny and Beau purchased the home in 2009,” said Lang. “It had previously been a rental property. They have invested hundreds of hours of sweat equity and significant expense to maintain the home’s unique features while making modern updates. We are excited it is part of this year’s tour.”

Lang believes visitors will be eager to tour the home as the Hanson’s repaired its original wood trim and complete replacement of the front porch.

A green house, privacy fencing and solar paneling have also been installed by the Hansons. In addition to the Hanson house, the other State Center home is owned by Mary and Craig Pfantz at 201 Fourth Ave. NE.

Marshalltown homes on the tour are Cheri and Gerry Coleman’s at 301 S 9th St., Julie and Kevin Hitchins at 308 N. Fourth St., Kristyn and Barry Kell’s at 404 N. Fifth St., and Jennifer and Jason Matteson at 608 W. Main St.

Tickets are $15 in advance and can be purchased at HSMC’s Mowry-Irvine Mansion, 503 W. Main St., Hellberg Jewelers and Lillie Mae Chocolates in Marshalltown and Central State Bank in State Center.

Tickets purchased at the door – at any one of the six homes – are $20. One admission purchase regardless of advance or at-the-door sale is good for touring all six homes. Children under 10 are free, accompanied by an adult.

Guides will be available at all homes. HSMC board members will be at all homes to welcome visitors and answer questions about the organization.

Event sponsors are Home Federal Savings Bank and MinuteMan of Marshalltown and ProFinish Iowa of Grinnell. McFarland Clinic of Marshalltown and UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown donated supplies.

“We are thrilled to offer the historic home tour again after a several year hiatus,” said HSMC board member Hannah Hedum of Green Mountain.

“We hope central Iowans will support this effort. Funds earned from the tour will help maintain our collection and properties,” she said.

Established in 1908, HSMC is an IRS-certified 501(c)(3) organization. It does not receive state, city or county funding. It depends significantly on donations; research services, membership support a small endowment and fund-raising initiatives.

For more information about the home tour contact Lang at 641-750-4532. A story in the Oct. 1 edition of the T-R will feature the Mary and Craig Pfantz home at 201 Fourth Ave. NE in State Center.