Iowa City’s Historic Landmarks.

Here in Iowa City, the Historic Preservation Commission, along with the assistance of the city’s preservation planner, reviews requests for exterior changes to properties located within the local historic districts and conservation districts (see below), and historic landmarks.

Historic preservation helps to ensure that any proposed change is compatible with the historic character of the building and neighborhood.

Click here to read more about Friends of Historic Preservation (FHP)

Beginning in 1975, one of Iowa City’s oldest landmarks – North Presbyterian Church – was designated as a Historic Landmark in Iowa City (ICHL). The battle to save Old Brick from the wrecking ball took almost two years to accomplish, but since then, over sixty other iconic buildings have been added to this illustrious ICHL list. On this page, we give you an overview of the current 68 Historic Landmarks of Iowa City – listed alphabetically…

Click here for this same list offered by street location…

Click on the boxes below to get more info for each entry.
* National Register of Historic Places.
Ashton, Ned House*
Billingsley-Hills House*
Borts, Albert J. & Alice E. House*
Bostick, William House* – You can read more here.
Bowery Street Grocery Store* – You can read more here.
Byfield, Dr. Albert H. House*
Cannon, Wilber D. & Hattie House*
Carnegie Library (200 S. Linn Street) – You can read more here.
Carson, Thomas C. House* – You can read more here.
Cavanagh-Zetek House* – You can read more here.
Click on the boxes below to get more info for each entry.
* National Register of Historic Places.
Chicago-Rock Island-Pacific (CRI&P) Railroad Depot* – You can read more here.
Clark, Florence A. House*
Close, Chalmer D. House*
Cochrane-Sharpless-Dennis House
College Block Building*
College Street – Crescent Block
College Street – Dooley Block – East Bay
College Street – Dooley Block – West Bay
College Street – Sears, Roebuck & Company
Congregational Church* – You can read more here.
Click on the boxes below to get more info for each entry.
* National Register of Historic Places.
Crum-Overholdt House
Czecho-Slovakian C.S.P.S. National Hall* – You can read more here.
Economy Advertising Company* – You can read more here.
First Unitarian Church*
Franklin Printing House* – You can read more here.
Geiger, Anton House
Goldman, Emma Clinic
Haddock House – The Crag
Hawthorne Glove & Shrader Drug Building* – You can read more here.
Highlander Supper Club & Convention Center
Click on the boxes below to get more info for each entry.
* National Register of Historic Places.
Hohenschuh, Christian & Clara House
Hohenschuh-Hervert House
Hohenschuh Mortuary
Hummer, George & Helen House – You can read more here.
Jackson-Swisher House & Carriage House*
Jacobsen, Dr. H.H. & Sylvella House
Johnson, Sylvanus House – You can read more here.
Kirkwood, Samuel J. House* – You can read more here.
Letovsky-Rohret House*
Linsay House*
Click on the boxes below to get more info for each entry.
* National Register of Historic Places.
McCollister, James Farmstead*
National Hall, Slezak-Holub Complex – You can read more here.
Nicking, Henry C. House* – You can read more here.
North Presbyterian Church (Old Brick)* – You can read more here.
Oakes-Wood House* – You can read more here.
Old U.S. Post Office* – You can read more here.
Old Settlers’ Assoc. of Johnson County Log Cabins* – You can read more here.
Park House Hotel/St. Agatha’s Women’s Seminary* – You can read more here.
Parrott House
Paul-Helen Building* – You can read more here.
Click on the boxes below to get more info for each entry.
* National Register of Historic Places.
Phi Kappa Sigma House
Pratt, A.W. House*
Prybil, John and Anna Vrchoticky Cottage
Ranck, Cyrus S. & Georginia House
Rittenmeyer, F.X. House*
Rose Hill, Frederick Irish Home* – You can read more here.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church & Rectory* – You can read more here.
St. Mary’s Rectory* – You can read more here.
Schindhelm-Drews House*
Sigma Pi Fraternity House*
Click on the boxes below to get more info for each entry.
* National Register of Historic Places.
Stevenson-Baker House
Summit Apartment Building*
Tate Arms*
Trinity Episcopal Church* – You can read more here.
Union Bakery*
Union Brewery* – You can read more here.
Wentz, Jacob House* – You can read more here.
Windrem House* – You can read more here.
Iowa City Historical Landmarks that are marked with * are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Read more here.
Back in the 1970’s, it took nearly two years and lots of blood, sweat & tears for Old Brick to be saved from the wrecking ball. Today, the work of saving and preserving Iowa City & Johnson County’s rich heritage continues. Here at Our Iowa Heritage, we are actively partnering with both the Iowa City Friends of Historic Preservation and the Johnson County Historical Society, hoping to see many more of our historical treasures saved. Come join our efforts by becoming active members of both organizations. Click on the links (above) to learn more.
After months of hard work, letter writing, and canvassing throughout the city – The Slezak National Hall Complex – known to the general public as Pagliai’s Pizza – was saved! On May 21, 2024, the Iowa City City Council voted 7-0 to protect this iconic property – making it the 68th Iowa City Historic Landmark! Thanks to all those who helped make this action possible.
April 16, 1977 – After almost two years of struggle, Friends of Old Brick finally succeed in saving one of Iowa City’s oldest remaining structures – North Presbyterian Church – from the wrecking ball.

Kudos to the amazing resources below for the many quotes, photographs, etc. used on this page.

City of Iowa City – Historic Preservation, icgov.org

City of Iowa City – Historic Preservation Commission, icgov.org

City of Iowa City – List of Local Landmarks, icgov.org

Papers signed, Old Brick saved, Iowa City Press-Citizen, April 16, 1977, p 1

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