The Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society Tour Of Homes is Sunday, July 26th from 1:00-4:00 PM. Cost is $20 per ticket.
Roe-Hansmeier House
Daryl L Hansmeier
1320 Elon Drive, Waukon, lowa 52172
The Roe-Hansmeier House was built in 1923 by Alert and Gusta Roe and is situated in section 31 of Center Township along Elon Road. Once a component of a long-time dairy farm, the 4 square home features 4 bedrooms and 3 baths with 2,116 square feet of finished living space. The home enjoyed a near- complete remodel in 2020-21 with new roof, wiring, plumbing, windows, hardwood floors, trim work, fireplace, custom kitchen and wrap around porch. Current layout of the house has remained close to the original floor plan with a primary suite added in the basement. The current owner of the property, Daryl Hasmeier is the great grandson of the Roe’s and is the 4th generation owner of this stand-out country home. Highlights include: stained glass windows, a completely restored 1923 reliable cook stove, period flooring, period lighting and beautiful views from all directions. Included on the tour will be a period-appropriate summer kitchen fitted out as you would have seen it in the early 1940’s.
West Paint Creek Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery-
1351 Elon Drive, Waterville, lowa
West Paint Creek Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery built in 1892 is a historic building and site located northwest of Waterville,
lowa on the Elon Drive. The church building and its adjacent cemetery were listed together on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Norwegian immigrants came to Allamakee County starting in the early 1950’s. Their numbers increased after the American Civil War beginning
in the late 1860’s and continuing into the 1880’s. Peter and Sophia Paulson deeded a little more than 1 acre of land to the West Paint Creek Synod congregation in 1890. They built this frame Carpenter Gothic church building, completed in 1892. It features three lancet “stained glass” windows on the side elevations, a gable-front roof and a central bell tower capped with a newly restored spire. The building exhibits Norwegian immigrant carpentry skills found in the Dutch lap siding, frame construction, paneled doors, pews and flooring. The interior
includes a wood-carved altar, altar rail and pulpit in the chancel. The pews of native pine have an ornate cross carved on each side. The altar’s reredos features a painting by itinerant Norwegian immigrant artist Herbjorn Gausta called Resurrection. The cemetery is located on the west side of the church, and there is a shed on the property that was built in 1938. The church building was the site of the local community’s religious and social life. The church and cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. The restored basement area is used for fellowship.
River Bluff Getaway
Ron and Julie Peiffer Home
521 Brazell Point Drive, Harpers Ferry, lowa 52146
The most recently built home on this year’s tour the River Bluff Getaway owned by Ron &and Julie Peiffer was built in 2024 in the new Brazell addition in the south part of Harpers Ferry. The multi-level home offers an amazing view of the bluffs overlooking Harpers Ferry and the Great River Road. The entire home rents as two separate units, with the option to rent the entire home. This beautiful home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two kitchens, two living and dining room areas and two laundry rooms. The entire home rental provides you with full access to both the upper and lower units with privacy, comfortably accommodating 10-12 guests. There is plenty of onsite parking, deck or patio with a Barbecue grill. There is a very large garage area attached which is for personal use. The landscaping compliments the various views and this property is located in Harpers Ferry with access to the Great River Road and the Mississippi River.
Steve & Diana Jennerman
519 Sandy Point Drive Harpers Ferry, lowa 52146
This home offers a beautiful view of the Mississippi River (Harpers Slough) with a newly landscaped river bank offering a water feature. The present home with a walkout lower level was built in 2005 and has geothermal heat. The earlier cabin was built in 1953 and was removed to make room for the new house. It is built on a steep bluff with a terraced retaining wall that is the foundation for a fantastic landscaped back yard. Each level has a screened in covered porch offering a relaxing place to view the scenery and boat docks. The location offers access to the Mississippi River’s main channel via the south entrance of Harpers Slough.
For tickets and more information, call 319-240-2460