April 10, 1986 – The Paul-Helen Building – located at 207-215 E. Washington Street in Iowa City – is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Paul-Helen Building – 207-215 E. Washington Street – is directly west of the Englert Theatre. It was built around the same time, and is named after the owner’s two children. This massive three-story red-brick building was the home to the Iowa City Gas and Electric Company for decades, and later, to other retail stores. But beginning in 1912, the third floor was the home of the highly-popular Varsity Hall. A dance hall and auditorium, The Varsity offered both live music and movies, and featured Albert C. (Punch) Dunkel’s Orchestra – with Punch’s wife, Emma, playing the piano – despite the fact that she was deaf!
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