207 Fifth Street

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Evaluation:

This is a contributing Fifth Street building within the historic district. This modernized façade (1951) represents storefront improvements in the district after World War II.

District Characteristic	Yes	No	Findings/Recommendations
Two-story brick with narrow mass	X
Larger, broader massing		X
Other key façade features		X
Architectural style		X
Prominent location		X
Original façade materials		X
Upper fenestration pattern		X
Sympathetic Storefront Infill	X		Given 1951 loss of the transom line.
Brick corbelled parapet		X
Cornice/coping (not metal)		X

Physical Description:

This two-story brick building of early vintage is redefined as a post-war remodeled building due to its new brick veneer. The core measures 25 feet by 60 feet. Three upstairs windows have been reduced in size, have steel plate lintels and stone sills. There is no parapet or façade elaboration. The new front is carried down to cover the lost transom area. Originally a darker soldier brick band capped the storefront but the brick has been painted.

Documented Alterations:

Sorensen received a $250 permit in 1954 for an addition (Express, August 26, 1954). Permits note a general remodel (1968) and the application of an awning and shutters (1977).

Commercial History:

Business	Owner	Start	Stop	Notes of Interest

Mimi’s From the Market	Mimi Soun	2007	2009	Stepping stones, glass art
The Longhouse Center	Fran Bears, Jerry Spargur	2005	2006
Rosemary’s Lingerie & Custom Fitted Bras	Rosemary Wright	2003	2004	207 ½ Fifth
The Muses Art Gallery	Stella King, Kim Chneryung Hste	2003	2003
Artdive Gallery		2003
Festival Gallery				207 ½ Fifth
			1999	Out of business sale, fixtures, July
Country Club Golf		1996	1997
Goode Gallery		1994	1995
The Tavern		1992		Expands into south half of storefront in November, relocating bathrooms north, pizza pickup in rear.
The Dublin Door		1983	1983	Irish apparel and gifts, theft with loss of $10,650 in jewelry, china (Register, November 2, 1988), opened February 1983
Charisma Flowers Inc.	James L. Hess, Gary P. Swanson	1987
Mary Ann’s Antiques & Gifts/Accessories		1970	1986	North half,
Rejects Art Show			1982	In conjunction with Art Center, vacant store (Register, May 16, 1982).
Needle & I Ltd.		1980		To 3708 Ingersoll by February 1982.
Serendipity Antiques		1980
Leiserowitz Gallery	Robert Leiserowitz	1977	1979
Indian Arts’ N Ends		1974	1977	Moved from 110 Fifth Mall December 1974, expanded 1976
H&R Block		1969	1974
Super Wash Laundromat		1960
Quick Save Laundromat		1957		One of first four coin-operated self-serve laundromats in Iowa (Register, December 16, 1956)
		1956		Ideal business location, 1,600 sq. ft. warehouse, parking area-for rent
Sorenson Electric and Heating in 1955		1951	1956
New front		1951	1952	Ed Sorensen put on a new brick front in 1951 to house his electric and heating company (Express, May 2, 1951; February 7, 1952).
The American Legion and Auxiliary-Drum & Bugle Corps		1935	1943	Upstairs-termed VFW Hall in 1936
Hall		1937		Upstairs (Sanborn Map)
WDM Dance Studio	Genevieve Ellis	1943
Vacant		1932
Hasting’s Drugs	James W. Hastings	1924		To 343 Fifth in 1924, 1201 Grand, DM in 1927
Piggly Wiggly Grocery		1927		Gordon Putnam contractor, white interior, oak fixtures, remodeled (Register, March 17, 1927; Tribune, April 14, 1927)
Blome Grocery		1924
Long’s Grocery		1922
Robison’s Grocery		1915
Construction	Dennis Hynes	1897		Dennis Hynes was the original owner when this building, certainly raised up almost simultaneously with 205 to the north, the contract being let for a 25 feet by 40 feet two story block in mid-November 1897 (Express, November 12, 1897).