A home with an unusual architectural twist

I took a drive yesterday out to Belle Plaine to visit this site:

 

The Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House. Built in 1871 by the Hooper family, it was eventually purchased by the Bowler (pronounced as in "bow down," not "hair bow") family, and finally the Hillstrom family, who lived in it until it was purchased by the Belle Plaine Historical Society. Now it acts as a museum for a large collection of historic items donated to the Society, including all manner of vintage furniture, dishes, clothing, toys, musical instruments (including a Civil War drum used by soldiers during that war), Christmas ornaments, and various household items. There are a few pieces that are original to the house itself, including a master bedroom suite. Unfortunately, photos are not allowed inside, so you'll either have to take my word for it, or go visit it yourself.

It's a fun place to visit. The original house was much smaller, and as new rooms were added, not much care was taken to keep things level, so it's important that you watch your step--there are all kinds of odd little steps up and down. The formal staircases are somewhat hair-raising with their steep and narrow treads. I was fortunate enough to have as a tour guide a sweet elderly lady who is a Hillstrom descendant and had lived in the house, back in the day, and she knew what each object was, how it worked, and how the house itself was put together.

But besides being an interesting repository of local history, the Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House has a unique architectural feature:

 

That little white tower on the left, connected by a bridge? That's an outhouse. A two-story outhouse. That particular feature was added by Mr. Bowler, who apparently had quite a large family. The upstairs portion has three holes of different sizes; as the guide said, "One for papa bear, one for mama bear, and one for baby bear."

I guess it's true: necessity is the mother of invention.

The Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House is open Sunday afternoons through Labor Day, and for some special occasions during the winter, or by appointment.

Comments

[Dominique]

I'm afraid to ask what's on the first floor of that outhouse! I've seen two-holers, but never a two-story outhouse!

[Carrie K]

I was a wee bit concerned about the first floor myself.