George H. and Loretta Ward House

George H. and Loretta Ward House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	719 N. Calhoun St. West Liberty, Iowa
Coordinates	41°34′31″N 91°15′49″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1896
Built by	Will A. Warren
Architectural style	Queen Anne
NRHP reference No.	97000388
Added to NRHP	May 2, 1997

George H. and Loretta Ward House, also known as the Cline House, is an historic residence located in West Liberty, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1997.

History

George Ward was a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Loretta was from the West Liberty-West Branch, Iowa area. They originally settled on a farm near Centerdale, Iowa before moving to West Liberty in 1890. Local contractor Will A. Warren built this house in 1896. The Wards owned one of the first automobiles in town and hired Frank Pertlick as a chauffeur and gardener. George died in 1905 and Loretta in 1919. The house and property was bequeathed to Pertlick, but it was tied up in probate for years. His lawyer, J.E. McIntosh, took the property as payment.

Architecture

The Ward House is a 2½ story, frame structure executed in the Queen Anne style. The main block measures 39 by 36 feet (12 by 11 m) and the summer kitchen adds another 14 by 15 feet (4.3 by 4.6 m). The primary decorative feature on the exterior is a wrap-around porch. It is highlighted by a corner turret capped with a finial, and it is enclosed with a balustrade. The asymmetrical facade has a second story porch above the main floor porch with a distinctive balustrade. The main block of the house is capped with a hip roof. The cross gables feature metal crests along the top. At one time there was a barn on the property that housed the carriage and horses. It has subsequently been torn down and replaced by a smaller carriage house/garage, however the date of construction is unknown.